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- Th3 Pr0j3ct Gut3nb3rg 3B00k 0f Pr1d3 4nd Pr3jud1c3, by J4n3 4u5t3n
- Th15 3B00k 15 f0r th3 u53 0f 4ny0n3 4nywh3r3 4t n0 c05t 4nd w1th
- 4lm05t n0 r35tr1ct10n5 wh4t503v3r. Y0u m4y c0py 1t, g1v3 1t 4w4y 0r
- r3-u53 1t und3r th3 t3rm5 0f th3 Pr0j3ct Gut3nb3rg L1c3n53 1nclud3d
- w1th th15 3B00k 0r 0nl1n3 4t www.gut3nb3rg.0rg
- T1tl3: Pr1d3 4nd Pr3jud1c3
- 4uth0r: J4n3 4u5t3n
- P05t1ng D4t3: 4ugu5t 26, 2008 [3B00k #1342]
- R3l3453 D4t3: Jun3, 1998
- [L45t upd4t3d: 0ct0b3r 12, 2012]
- L4ngu4g3: 3ngl15h
- *** 5T4RT 0F TH15 PR0J3CT GUT3NB3RG 3B00K PR1D3 4ND PR3JUD1C3 ***
- Pr0duc3d by 4n0nym0u5 V0lunt33r5
- PR1D3 4ND PR3JUD1C3
- By J4n3 4u5t3n
- Ch4pt3r 1
- 1t 15 4 truth un1v3r54lly 4ckn0wl3dg3d, th4t 4 51ngl3 m4n 1n p05535510n
- 0f 4 g00d f0rtun3, mu5t b3 1n w4nt 0f 4 w1f3.
- H0w3v3r l1ttl3 kn0wn th3 f33l1ng5 0r v13w5 0f 5uch 4 m4n m4y b3 0n h15
- f1r5t 3nt3r1ng 4 n31ghb0urh00d, th15 truth 15 50 w3ll f1x3d 1n th3 m1nd5
- 0f th3 5urr0und1ng f4m1l135, th4t h3 15 c0n51d3r3d th3 r1ghtful pr0p3rty
- 0f 50m3 0n3 0r 0th3r 0f th31r d4ught3r5.
- "My d34r Mr. B3nn3t," 541d h15 l4dy t0 h1m 0n3 d4y, "h4v3 y0u h34rd th4t
- N3th3rf13ld P4rk 15 l3t 4t l45t?"
- Mr. B3nn3t r3pl13d th4t h3 h4d n0t.
- "But 1t 15," r3turn3d 5h3; "f0r Mr5. L0ng h45 ju5t b33n h3r3, 4nd 5h3
- t0ld m3 4ll 4b0ut 1t."
- Mr. B3nn3t m4d3 n0 4n5w3r.
- "D0 y0u n0t w4nt t0 kn0w wh0 h45 t4k3n 1t?" cr13d h15 w1f3 1mp4t13ntly.
- "_Y0u_ w4nt t0 t3ll m3, 4nd 1 h4v3 n0 0bj3ct10n t0 h34r1ng 1t."
- Th15 w45 1nv1t4t10n 3n0ugh.
- "Why, my d34r, y0u mu5t kn0w, Mr5. L0ng 54y5 th4t N3th3rf13ld 15 t4k3n
- by 4 y0ung m4n 0f l4rg3 f0rtun3 fr0m th3 n0rth 0f 3ngl4nd; th4t h3 c4m3
- d0wn 0n M0nd4y 1n 4 ch4153 4nd f0ur t0 533 th3 pl4c3, 4nd w45 50 much
- d3l1ght3d w1th 1t, th4t h3 4gr33d w1th Mr. M0rr15 1mm3d14t3ly; th4t h3
- 15 t0 t4k3 p05535510n b3f0r3 M1ch43lm45, 4nd 50m3 0f h15 53rv4nt5 4r3 t0
- b3 1n th3 h0u53 by th3 3nd 0f n3xt w33k."
- "Wh4t 15 h15 n4m3?"
- "B1ngl3y."
- "15 h3 m4rr13d 0r 51ngl3?"
- "0h! 51ngl3, my d34r, t0 b3 5ur3! 4 51ngl3 m4n 0f l4rg3 f0rtun3; f0ur 0r
- f1v3 th0u54nd 4 y34r. Wh4t 4 f1n3 th1ng f0r 0ur g1rl5!"
- "H0w 50? H0w c4n 1t 4ff3ct th3m?"
- "My d34r Mr. B3nn3t," r3pl13d h15 w1f3, "h0w c4n y0u b3 50 t1r350m3! Y0u
- mu5t kn0w th4t 1 4m th1nk1ng 0f h15 m4rry1ng 0n3 0f th3m."
- "15 th4t h15 d351gn 1n 53ttl1ng h3r3?"
- "D351gn! N0n53n53, h0w c4n y0u t4lk 50! But 1t 15 v3ry l1k3ly th4t h3
- _m4y_ f4ll 1n l0v3 w1th 0n3 0f th3m, 4nd th3r3f0r3 y0u mu5t v151t h1m 45
- 500n 45 h3 c0m35."
- "1 533 n0 0cc4510n f0r th4t. Y0u 4nd th3 g1rl5 m4y g0, 0r y0u m4y 53nd
- th3m by th3m53lv35, wh1ch p3rh4p5 w1ll b3 5t1ll b3tt3r, f0r 45 y0u 4r3
- 45 h4nd50m3 45 4ny 0f th3m, Mr. B1ngl3y m4y l1k3 y0u th3 b35t 0f th3
- p4rty."
- "My d34r, y0u fl4tt3r m3. 1 c3rt41nly _h4v3_ h4d my 5h4r3 0f b34uty, but
- 1 d0 n0t pr3t3nd t0 b3 4nyth1ng 3xtr40rd1n4ry n0w. Wh3n 4 w0m4n h45 f1v3
- gr0wn-up d4ught3r5, 5h3 0ught t0 g1v3 0v3r th1nk1ng 0f h3r 0wn b34uty."
- "1n 5uch c4535, 4 w0m4n h45 n0t 0ft3n much b34uty t0 th1nk 0f."
- "But, my d34r, y0u mu5t 1nd33d g0 4nd 533 Mr. B1ngl3y wh3n h3 c0m35 1nt0
- th3 n31ghb0urh00d."
- "1t 15 m0r3 th4n 1 3ng4g3 f0r, 1 455ur3 y0u."
- "But c0n51d3r y0ur d4ught3r5. 0nly th1nk wh4t 4n 35t4bl15hm3nt 1t w0uld
- b3 f0r 0n3 0f th3m. 51r W1ll14m 4nd L4dy Luc45 4r3 d3t3rm1n3d t0
- g0, m3r3ly 0n th4t 4cc0unt, f0r 1n g3n3r4l, y0u kn0w, th3y v151t n0
- n3wc0m3r5. 1nd33d y0u mu5t g0, f0r 1t w1ll b3 1mp0551bl3 f0r _u5_ t0
- v151t h1m 1f y0u d0 n0t."
- "Y0u 4r3 0v3r-5crupul0u5, 5ur3ly. 1 d4r3 54y Mr. B1ngl3y w1ll b3 v3ry
- gl4d t0 533 y0u; 4nd 1 w1ll 53nd 4 f3w l1n35 by y0u t0 455ur3 h1m 0f my
- h34rty c0n53nt t0 h15 m4rry1ng wh1ch3v3r h3 ch00535 0f th3 g1rl5; th0ugh
- 1 mu5t thr0w 1n 4 g00d w0rd f0r my l1ttl3 L1zzy."
- "1 d351r3 y0u w1ll d0 n0 5uch th1ng. L1zzy 15 n0t 4 b1t b3tt3r th4n th3
- 0th3r5; 4nd 1 4m 5ur3 5h3 15 n0t h4lf 50 h4nd50m3 45 J4n3, n0r h4lf 50
- g00d-hum0ur3d 45 Lyd14. But y0u 4r3 4lw4y5 g1v1ng _h3r_ th3 pr3f3r3nc3."
- "Th3y h4v3 n0n3 0f th3m much t0 r3c0mm3nd th3m," r3pl13d h3; "th3y 4r3
- 4ll 51lly 4nd 1gn0r4nt l1k3 0th3r g1rl5; but L1zzy h45 50m3th1ng m0r3 0f
- qu1ckn355 th4n h3r 515t3r5."
- "Mr. B3nn3t, h0w _c4n_ y0u 4bu53 y0ur 0wn ch1ldr3n 1n 5uch 4 w4y? Y0u
- t4k3 d3l1ght 1n v3x1ng m3. Y0u h4v3 n0 c0mp45510n f0r my p00r n3rv35."
- "Y0u m15t4k3 m3, my d34r. 1 h4v3 4 h1gh r35p3ct f0r y0ur n3rv35. Th3y
- 4r3 my 0ld fr13nd5. 1 h4v3 h34rd y0u m3nt10n th3m w1th c0n51d3r4t10n
- th353 l45t tw3nty y34r5 4t l345t."
- "4h, y0u d0 n0t kn0w wh4t 1 5uff3r."
- "But 1 h0p3 y0u w1ll g3t 0v3r 1t, 4nd l1v3 t0 533 m4ny y0ung m3n 0f f0ur
- th0u54nd 4 y34r c0m3 1nt0 th3 n31ghb0urh00d."
- "1t w1ll b3 n0 u53 t0 u5, 1f tw3nty 5uch 5h0uld c0m3, 51nc3 y0u w1ll n0t
- v151t th3m."
- "D3p3nd up0n 1t, my d34r, th4t wh3n th3r3 4r3 tw3nty, 1 w1ll v151t th3m
- 4ll."
- Mr. B3nn3t w45 50 0dd 4 m1xtur3 0f qu1ck p4rt5, 54rc45t1c hum0ur,
- r353rv3, 4nd c4pr1c3, th4t th3 3xp3r13nc3 0f thr33-4nd-tw3nty y34r5 h4d
- b33n 1n5uff1c13nt t0 m4k3 h15 w1f3 und3r5t4nd h15 ch4r4ct3r. _H3r_ m1nd
- w45 l355 d1ff1cult t0 d3v3l0p. 5h3 w45 4 w0m4n 0f m34n und3r5t4nd1ng,
- l1ttl3 1nf0rm4t10n, 4nd unc3rt41n t3mp3r. Wh3n 5h3 w45 d15c0nt3nt3d,
- 5h3 f4nc13d h3r53lf n3rv0u5. Th3 bu51n355 0f h3r l1f3 w45 t0 g3t h3r
- d4ught3r5 m4rr13d; 1t5 50l4c3 w45 v151t1ng 4nd n3w5.
- Ch4pt3r 2
- Mr. B3nn3t w45 4m0ng th3 34rl135t 0f th053 wh0 w41t3d 0n Mr. B1ngl3y. H3
- h4d 4lw4y5 1nt3nd3d t0 v151t h1m, th0ugh t0 th3 l45t 4lw4y5 455ur1ng
- h15 w1f3 th4t h3 5h0uld n0t g0; 4nd t1ll th3 3v3n1ng 4ft3r th3 v151t w45
- p41d 5h3 h4d n0 kn0wl3dg3 0f 1t. 1t w45 th3n d15cl053d 1n th3 f0ll0w1ng
- m4nn3r. 0b53rv1ng h15 53c0nd d4ught3r 3mpl0y3d 1n tr1mm1ng 4 h4t, h3
- 5udd3nly 4ddr3553d h3r w1th:
- "1 h0p3 Mr. B1ngl3y w1ll l1k3 1t, L1zzy."
- "W3 4r3 n0t 1n 4 w4y t0 kn0w _wh4t_ Mr. B1ngl3y l1k35," 541d h3r m0th3r
- r353ntfully, "51nc3 w3 4r3 n0t t0 v151t."
- "But y0u f0rg3t, m4mm4," 541d 3l1z4b3th, "th4t w3 5h4ll m33t h1m 4t th3
- 4553mbl135, 4nd th4t Mr5. L0ng pr0m153d t0 1ntr0duc3 h1m."
- "1 d0 n0t b3l13v3 Mr5. L0ng w1ll d0 4ny 5uch th1ng. 5h3 h45 tw0 n13c35
- 0f h3r 0wn. 5h3 15 4 53lf15h, hyp0cr1t1c4l w0m4n, 4nd 1 h4v3 n0 0p1n10n
- 0f h3r."
- "N0 m0r3 h4v3 1," 541d Mr. B3nn3t; "4nd 1 4m gl4d t0 f1nd th4t y0u d0
- n0t d3p3nd 0n h3r 53rv1ng y0u."
- Mr5. B3nn3t d31gn3d n0t t0 m4k3 4ny r3ply, but, un4bl3 t0 c0nt41n
- h3r53lf, b3g4n 5c0ld1ng 0n3 0f h3r d4ught3r5.
- "D0n't k33p c0ugh1ng 50, K1tty, f0r H34v3n'5 54k3! H4v3 4 l1ttl3
- c0mp45510n 0n my n3rv35. Y0u t34r th3m t0 p13c35."
- "K1tty h45 n0 d15cr3t10n 1n h3r c0ugh5," 541d h3r f4th3r; "5h3 t1m35
- th3m 1ll."
- "1 d0 n0t c0ugh f0r my 0wn 4mu53m3nt," r3pl13d K1tty fr3tfully. "Wh3n 15
- y0ur n3xt b4ll t0 b3, L1zzy?"
- "T0-m0rr0w f0rtn1ght."
- "4y3, 50 1t 15," cr13d h3r m0th3r, "4nd Mr5. L0ng d035 n0t c0m3 b4ck
- t1ll th3 d4y b3f0r3; 50 1t w1ll b3 1mp0551bl3 f0r h3r t0 1ntr0duc3 h1m,
- f0r 5h3 w1ll n0t kn0w h1m h3r53lf."
- "Th3n, my d34r, y0u m4y h4v3 th3 4dv4nt4g3 0f y0ur fr13nd, 4nd 1ntr0duc3
- Mr. B1ngl3y t0 _h3r_."
- "1mp0551bl3, Mr. B3nn3t, 1mp0551bl3, wh3n 1 4m n0t 4cqu41nt3d w1th h1m
- my53lf; h0w c4n y0u b3 50 t3451ng?"
- "1 h0n0ur y0ur c1rcum5p3ct10n. 4 f0rtn1ght'5 4cqu41nt4nc3 15 c3rt41nly
- v3ry l1ttl3. 0n3 c4nn0t kn0w wh4t 4 m4n r34lly 15 by th3 3nd 0f 4
- f0rtn1ght. But 1f _w3_ d0 n0t v3ntur3 50m3b0dy 3l53 w1ll; 4nd 4ft3r 4ll,
- Mr5. L0ng 4nd h3r n31c35 mu5t 5t4nd th31r ch4nc3; 4nd, th3r3f0r3, 45
- 5h3 w1ll th1nk 1t 4n 4ct 0f k1ndn355, 1f y0u d3cl1n3 th3 0ff1c3, 1 w1ll
- t4k3 1t 0n my53lf."
- Th3 g1rl5 5t4r3d 4t th31r f4th3r. Mr5. B3nn3t 541d 0nly, "N0n53n53,
- n0n53n53!"
- "Wh4t c4n b3 th3 m34n1ng 0f th4t 3mph4t1c 3xcl4m4t10n?" cr13d h3. "D0
- y0u c0n51d3r th3 f0rm5 0f 1ntr0duct10n, 4nd th3 5tr355 th4t 15 l41d 0n
- th3m, 45 n0n53n53? 1 c4nn0t qu1t3 4gr33 w1th y0u _th3r3_. Wh4t 54y y0u,
- M4ry? F0r y0u 4r3 4 y0ung l4dy 0f d33p r3fl3ct10n, 1 kn0w, 4nd r34d
- gr34t b00k5 4nd m4k3 3xtr4ct5."
- M4ry w15h3d t0 54y 50m3th1ng 53n51bl3, but kn3w n0t h0w.
- "Wh1l3 M4ry 15 4dju5t1ng h3r 1d345," h3 c0nt1nu3d, "l3t u5 r3turn t0 Mr.
- B1ngl3y."
- "1 4m 51ck 0f Mr. B1ngl3y," cr13d h15 w1f3.
- "1 4m 50rry t0 h34r _th4t_; but why d1d n0t y0u t3ll m3 th4t b3f0r3? 1f
- 1 h4d kn0wn 45 much th15 m0rn1ng 1 c3rt41nly w0uld n0t h4v3 c4ll3d
- 0n h1m. 1t 15 v3ry unlucky; but 45 1 h4v3 4ctu4lly p41d th3 v151t, w3
- c4nn0t 35c4p3 th3 4cqu41nt4nc3 n0w."
- Th3 45t0n15hm3nt 0f th3 l4d135 w45 ju5t wh4t h3 w15h3d; th4t 0f Mr5.
- B3nn3t p3rh4p5 5urp4551ng th3 r35t; th0ugh, wh3n th3 f1r5t tumult 0f j0y
- w45 0v3r, 5h3 b3g4n t0 d3cl4r3 th4t 1t w45 wh4t 5h3 h4d 3xp3ct3d 4ll th3
- wh1l3.
- "H0w g00d 1t w45 1n y0u, my d34r Mr. B3nn3t! But 1 kn3w 1 5h0uld
- p3r5u4d3 y0u 4t l45t. 1 w45 5ur3 y0u l0v3d y0ur g1rl5 t00 w3ll t0
- n3gl3ct 5uch 4n 4cqu41nt4nc3. W3ll, h0w pl3453d 1 4m! 4nd 1t 15 5uch 4
- g00d j0k3, t00, th4t y0u 5h0uld h4v3 g0n3 th15 m0rn1ng 4nd n3v3r 541d 4
- w0rd 4b0ut 1t t1ll n0w."
- "N0w, K1tty, y0u m4y c0ugh 45 much 45 y0u ch0053," 541d Mr. B3nn3t; 4nd,
- 45 h3 5p0k3, h3 l3ft th3 r00m, f4t1gu3d w1th th3 r4ptur35 0f h15 w1f3.
- "Wh4t 4n 3xc3ll3nt f4th3r y0u h4v3, g1rl5!" 541d 5h3, wh3n th3 d00r w45
- 5hut. "1 d0 n0t kn0w h0w y0u w1ll 3v3r m4k3 h1m 4m3nd5 f0r h15 k1ndn355;
- 0r m3, 31th3r, f0r th4t m4tt3r. 4t 0ur t1m3 0f l1f3 1t 15 n0t 50
- pl3454nt, 1 c4n t3ll y0u, t0 b3 m4k1ng n3w 4cqu41nt4nc35 3v3ry d4y; but
- f0r y0ur 54k35, w3 w0uld d0 4nyth1ng. Lyd14, my l0v3, th0ugh y0u _4r3_
- th3 y0ung35t, 1 d4r3 54y Mr. B1ngl3y w1ll d4nc3 w1th y0u 4t th3 n3xt
- b4ll."
- "0h!" 541d Lyd14 5t0utly, "1 4m n0t 4fr41d; f0r th0ugh 1 _4m_ th3
- y0ung35t, 1'm th3 t4ll35t."
- Th3 r35t 0f th3 3v3n1ng w45 5p3nt 1n c0nj3ctur1ng h0w 500n h3 w0uld
- r3turn Mr. B3nn3t'5 v151t, 4nd d3t3rm1n1ng wh3n th3y 5h0uld 45k h1m t0
- d1nn3r.
- Ch4pt3r 3
- N0t 4ll th4t Mr5. B3nn3t, h0w3v3r, w1th th3 45515t4nc3 0f h3r f1v3
- d4ught3r5, c0uld 45k 0n th3 5ubj3ct, w45 5uff1c13nt t0 dr4w fr0m h3r
- hu5b4nd 4ny 54t15f4ct0ry d35cr1pt10n 0f Mr. B1ngl3y. Th3y 4tt4ck3d h1m
- 1n v4r10u5 w4y5--w1th b4r3f4c3d qu35t10n5, 1ng3n10u5 5upp051t10n5, 4nd
- d15t4nt 5urm1535; but h3 3lud3d th3 5k1ll 0f th3m 4ll, 4nd th3y w3r3 4t
- l45t 0bl1g3d t0 4cc3pt th3 53c0nd-h4nd 1nt3ll1g3nc3 0f th31r n31ghb0ur,
- L4dy Luc45. H3r r3p0rt w45 h1ghly f4v0ur4bl3. 51r W1ll14m h4d b33n
- d3l1ght3d w1th h1m. H3 w45 qu1t3 y0ung, w0nd3rfully h4nd50m3, 3xtr3m3ly
- 4gr334bl3, 4nd, t0 cr0wn th3 wh0l3, h3 m34nt t0 b3 4t th3 n3xt 4553mbly
- w1th 4 l4rg3 p4rty. N0th1ng c0uld b3 m0r3 d3l1ghtful! T0 b3 f0nd 0f
- d4nc1ng w45 4 c3rt41n 5t3p t0w4rd5 f4ll1ng 1n l0v3; 4nd v3ry l1v3ly
- h0p35 0f Mr. B1ngl3y'5 h34rt w3r3 3nt3rt41n3d.
- "1f 1 c4n but 533 0n3 0f my d4ught3r5 h4pp1ly 53ttl3d 4t N3th3rf13ld,"
- 541d Mr5. B3nn3t t0 h3r hu5b4nd, "4nd 4ll th3 0th3r5 3qu4lly w3ll
- m4rr13d, 1 5h4ll h4v3 n0th1ng t0 w15h f0r."
- 1n 4 f3w d4y5 Mr. B1ngl3y r3turn3d Mr. B3nn3t'5 v151t, 4nd 54t 4b0ut
- t3n m1nut35 w1th h1m 1n h15 l1br4ry. H3 h4d 3nt3rt41n3d h0p35 0f b31ng
- 4dm1tt3d t0 4 51ght 0f th3 y0ung l4d135, 0f wh053 b34uty h3 h4d
- h34rd much; but h3 54w 0nly th3 f4th3r. Th3 l4d135 w3r3 50m3wh4t m0r3
- f0rtun4t3, f0r th3y h4d th3 4dv4nt4g3 0f 45c3rt41n1ng fr0m 4n upp3r
- w1nd0w th4t h3 w0r3 4 blu3 c04t, 4nd r0d3 4 bl4ck h0r53.
- 4n 1nv1t4t10n t0 d1nn3r w45 500n 4ft3rw4rd5 d15p4tch3d; 4nd 4lr34dy
- h4d Mr5. B3nn3t pl4nn3d th3 c0ur535 th4t w3r3 t0 d0 cr3d1t t0 h3r
- h0u53k33p1ng, wh3n 4n 4n5w3r 4rr1v3d wh1ch d3f3rr3d 1t 4ll. Mr. B1ngl3y
- w45 0bl1g3d t0 b3 1n t0wn th3 f0ll0w1ng d4y, 4nd, c0n53qu3ntly, un4bl3
- t0 4cc3pt th3 h0n0ur 0f th31r 1nv1t4t10n, 3tc. Mr5. B3nn3t w45 qu1t3
- d15c0nc3rt3d. 5h3 c0uld n0t 1m4g1n3 wh4t bu51n355 h3 c0uld h4v3 1n t0wn
- 50 500n 4ft3r h15 4rr1v4l 1n H3rtf0rd5h1r3; 4nd 5h3 b3g4n t0 f34r th4t
- h3 m1ght b3 4lw4y5 fly1ng 4b0ut fr0m 0n3 pl4c3 t0 4n0th3r, 4nd n3v3r
- 53ttl3d 4t N3th3rf13ld 45 h3 0ught t0 b3. L4dy Luc45 qu13t3d h3r f34r5
- 4 l1ttl3 by 5t4rt1ng th3 1d34 0f h15 b31ng g0n3 t0 L0nd0n 0nly t0 g3t
- 4 l4rg3 p4rty f0r th3 b4ll; 4nd 4 r3p0rt 500n f0ll0w3d th4t Mr. B1ngl3y
- w45 t0 br1ng tw3lv3 l4d135 4nd 53v3n g3ntl3m3n w1th h1m t0 th3 4553mbly.
- Th3 g1rl5 gr13v3d 0v3r 5uch 4 numb3r 0f l4d135, but w3r3 c0mf0rt3d th3
- d4y b3f0r3 th3 b4ll by h34r1ng, th4t 1n5t34d 0f tw3lv3 h3 br0ught 0nly
- 51x w1th h1m fr0m L0nd0n--h15 f1v3 515t3r5 4nd 4 c0u51n. 4nd wh3n
- th3 p4rty 3nt3r3d th3 4553mbly r00m 1t c0n515t3d 0f 0nly f1v3
- 4lt0g3th3r--Mr. B1ngl3y, h15 tw0 515t3r5, th3 hu5b4nd 0f th3 3ld35t, 4nd
- 4n0th3r y0ung m4n.
- Mr. B1ngl3y w45 g00d-l00k1ng 4nd g3ntl3m4nl1k3; h3 h4d 4 pl3454nt
- c0unt3n4nc3, 4nd 345y, un4ff3ct3d m4nn3r5. H15 515t3r5 w3r3 f1n3 w0m3n,
- w1th 4n 41r 0f d3c1d3d f45h10n. H15 br0th3r-1n-l4w, Mr. Hur5t, m3r3ly
- l00k3d th3 g3ntl3m4n; but h15 fr13nd Mr. D4rcy 500n dr3w th3 4tt3nt10n
- 0f th3 r00m by h15 f1n3, t4ll p3r50n, h4nd50m3 f34tur35, n0bl3 m13n, 4nd
- th3 r3p0rt wh1ch w45 1n g3n3r4l c1rcul4t10n w1th1n f1v3 m1nut35
- 4ft3r h15 3ntr4nc3, 0f h15 h4v1ng t3n th0u54nd 4 y34r. Th3 g3ntl3m3n
- pr0n0unc3d h1m t0 b3 4 f1n3 f1gur3 0f 4 m4n, th3 l4d135 d3cl4r3d h3
- w45 much h4nd50m3r th4n Mr. B1ngl3y, 4nd h3 w45 l00k3d 4t w1th gr34t
- 4dm1r4t10n f0r 4b0ut h4lf th3 3v3n1ng, t1ll h15 m4nn3r5 g4v3 4 d15gu5t
- wh1ch turn3d th3 t1d3 0f h15 p0pul4r1ty; f0r h3 w45 d15c0v3r3d t0 b3
- pr0ud; t0 b3 4b0v3 h15 c0mp4ny, 4nd 4b0v3 b31ng pl3453d; 4nd n0t 4ll
- h15 l4rg3 35t4t3 1n D3rby5h1r3 c0uld th3n 54v3 h1m fr0m h4v1ng 4 m05t
- f0rb1dd1ng, d154gr334bl3 c0unt3n4nc3, 4nd b31ng unw0rthy t0 b3 c0mp4r3d
- w1th h15 fr13nd.
- Mr. B1ngl3y h4d 500n m4d3 h1m53lf 4cqu41nt3d w1th 4ll th3 pr1nc1p4l
- p30pl3 1n th3 r00m; h3 w45 l1v3ly 4nd unr353rv3d, d4nc3d 3v3ry d4nc3,
- w45 4ngry th4t th3 b4ll cl053d 50 34rly, 4nd t4lk3d 0f g1v1ng
- 0n3 h1m53lf 4t N3th3rf13ld. 5uch 4m14bl3 qu4l1t135 mu5t 5p34k f0r
- th3m53lv35. Wh4t 4 c0ntr45t b3tw33n h1m 4nd h15 fr13nd! Mr. D4rcy d4nc3d
- 0nly 0nc3 w1th Mr5. Hur5t 4nd 0nc3 w1th M155 B1ngl3y, d3cl1n3d b31ng
- 1ntr0duc3d t0 4ny 0th3r l4dy, 4nd 5p3nt th3 r35t 0f th3 3v3n1ng 1n
- w4lk1ng 4b0ut th3 r00m, 5p34k1ng 0cc4510n4lly t0 0n3 0f h15 0wn p4rty.
- H15 ch4r4ct3r w45 d3c1d3d. H3 w45 th3 pr0ud35t, m05t d154gr334bl3 m4n
- 1n th3 w0rld, 4nd 3v3ryb0dy h0p3d th4t h3 w0uld n3v3r c0m3 th3r3 4g41n.
- 4m0ng5t th3 m05t v10l3nt 4g41n5t h1m w45 Mr5. B3nn3t, wh053 d15l1k3 0f
- h15 g3n3r4l b3h4v10ur w45 5h4rp3n3d 1nt0 p4rt1cul4r r353ntm3nt by h15
- h4v1ng 5l1ght3d 0n3 0f h3r d4ught3r5.
- 3l1z4b3th B3nn3t h4d b33n 0bl1g3d, by th3 5c4rc1ty 0f g3ntl3m3n, t0 51t
- d0wn f0r tw0 d4nc35; 4nd dur1ng p4rt 0f th4t t1m3, Mr. D4rcy h4d b33n
- 5t4nd1ng n34r 3n0ugh f0r h3r t0 h34r 4 c0nv3r54t10n b3tw33n h1m 4nd Mr.
- B1ngl3y, wh0 c4m3 fr0m th3 d4nc3 f0r 4 f3w m1nut35, t0 pr355 h15 fr13nd
- t0 j01n 1t.
- "C0m3, D4rcy," 541d h3, "1 mu5t h4v3 y0u d4nc3. 1 h4t3 t0 533 y0u
- 5t4nd1ng 4b0ut by y0ur53lf 1n th15 5tup1d m4nn3r. Y0u h4d much b3tt3r
- d4nc3."
- "1 c3rt41nly 5h4ll n0t. Y0u kn0w h0w 1 d3t35t 1t, unl355 1 4m
- p4rt1cul4rly 4cqu41nt3d w1th my p4rtn3r. 4t 5uch 4n 4553mbly 45 th15
- 1t w0uld b3 1n5upp0rt4bl3. Y0ur 515t3r5 4r3 3ng4g3d, 4nd th3r3 15 n0t
- 4n0th3r w0m4n 1n th3 r00m wh0m 1t w0uld n0t b3 4 pun15hm3nt t0 m3 t0
- 5t4nd up w1th."
- "1 w0uld n0t b3 50 f45t1d10u5 45 y0u 4r3," cr13d Mr. B1ngl3y, "f0r 4
- k1ngd0m! Up0n my h0n0ur, 1 n3v3r m3t w1th 50 m4ny pl3454nt g1rl5 1n
- my l1f3 45 1 h4v3 th15 3v3n1ng; 4nd th3r3 4r3 53v3r4l 0f th3m y0u 533
- unc0mm0nly pr3tty."
- "_Y0u_ 4r3 d4nc1ng w1th th3 0nly h4nd50m3 g1rl 1n th3 r00m," 541d Mr.
- D4rcy, l00k1ng 4t th3 3ld35t M155 B3nn3t.
- "0h! 5h3 15 th3 m05t b34ut1ful cr34tur3 1 3v3r b3h3ld! But th3r3 15 0n3
- 0f h3r 515t3r5 51tt1ng d0wn ju5t b3h1nd y0u, wh0 15 v3ry pr3tty, 4nd 1
- d4r3 54y v3ry 4gr334bl3. D0 l3t m3 45k my p4rtn3r t0 1ntr0duc3 y0u."
- "Wh1ch d0 y0u m34n?" 4nd turn1ng r0und h3 l00k3d f0r 4 m0m3nt 4t
- 3l1z4b3th, t1ll c4tch1ng h3r 3y3, h3 w1thdr3w h15 0wn 4nd c0ldly 541d:
- "5h3 15 t0l3r4bl3, but n0t h4nd50m3 3n0ugh t0 t3mpt _m3_; 1 4m 1n n0
- hum0ur 4t pr353nt t0 g1v3 c0n53qu3nc3 t0 y0ung l4d135 wh0 4r3 5l1ght3d
- by 0th3r m3n. Y0u h4d b3tt3r r3turn t0 y0ur p4rtn3r 4nd 3nj0y h3r
- 5m1l35, f0r y0u 4r3 w45t1ng y0ur t1m3 w1th m3."
- Mr. B1ngl3y f0ll0w3d h15 4dv1c3. Mr. D4rcy w4lk3d 0ff; 4nd 3l1z4b3th
- r3m41n3d w1th n0 v3ry c0rd14l f33l1ng5 t0w4rd h1m. 5h3 t0ld th3 5t0ry,
- h0w3v3r, w1th gr34t 5p1r1t 4m0ng h3r fr13nd5; f0r 5h3 h4d 4 l1v3ly,
- pl4yful d15p051t10n, wh1ch d3l1ght3d 1n 4nyth1ng r1d1cul0u5.
- Th3 3v3n1ng 4lt0g3th3r p4553d 0ff pl3454ntly t0 th3 wh0l3 f4m1ly. Mr5.
- B3nn3t h4d 533n h3r 3ld35t d4ught3r much 4dm1r3d by th3 N3th3rf13ld
- p4rty. Mr. B1ngl3y h4d d4nc3d w1th h3r tw1c3, 4nd 5h3 h4d b33n
- d15t1ngu15h3d by h15 515t3r5. J4n3 w45 45 much gr4t1f13d by th15 45
- h3r m0th3r c0uld b3, th0ugh 1n 4 qu13t3r w4y. 3l1z4b3th f3lt J4n3'5
- pl345ur3. M4ry h4d h34rd h3r53lf m3nt10n3d t0 M155 B1ngl3y 45 th3 m05t
- 4cc0mpl15h3d g1rl 1n th3 n31ghb0urh00d; 4nd C4th3r1n3 4nd Lyd14 h4d b33n
- f0rtun4t3 3n0ugh n3v3r t0 b3 w1th0ut p4rtn3r5, wh1ch w45 4ll th4t th3y
- h4d y3t l34rnt t0 c4r3 f0r 4t 4 b4ll. Th3y r3turn3d, th3r3f0r3, 1n g00d
- 5p1r1t5 t0 L0ngb0urn, th3 v1ll4g3 wh3r3 th3y l1v3d, 4nd 0f wh1ch th3y
- w3r3 th3 pr1nc1p4l 1nh4b1t4nt5. Th3y f0und Mr. B3nn3t 5t1ll up. W1th
- 4 b00k h3 w45 r3g4rdl355 0f t1m3; 4nd 0n th3 pr353nt 0cc4510n h3 h4d 4
- g00d d34l 0f cur1051ty 45 t0 th3 3v3nt 0f 4n 3v3n1ng wh1ch h4d r4153d
- 5uch 5pl3nd1d 3xp3ct4t10n5. H3 h4d r4th3r h0p3d th4t h15 w1f3'5 v13w5 0n
- th3 5tr4ng3r w0uld b3 d154pp01nt3d; but h3 500n f0und 0ut th4t h3 h4d 4
- d1ff3r3nt 5t0ry t0 h34r.
- "0h! my d34r Mr. B3nn3t," 45 5h3 3nt3r3d th3 r00m, "w3 h4v3 h4d 4 m05t
- d3l1ghtful 3v3n1ng, 4 m05t 3xc3ll3nt b4ll. 1 w15h y0u h4d b33n th3r3.
- J4n3 w45 50 4dm1r3d, n0th1ng c0uld b3 l1k3 1t. 3v3ryb0dy 541d h0w w3ll
- 5h3 l00k3d; 4nd Mr. B1ngl3y th0ught h3r qu1t3 b34ut1ful, 4nd d4nc3d w1th
- h3r tw1c3! 0nly th1nk 0f _th4t_, my d34r; h3 4ctu4lly d4nc3d w1th h3r
- tw1c3! 4nd 5h3 w45 th3 0nly cr34tur3 1n th3 r00m th4t h3 45k3d 4 53c0nd
- t1m3. F1r5t 0f 4ll, h3 45k3d M155 Luc45. 1 w45 50 v3x3d t0 533 h1m 5t4nd
- up w1th h3r! But, h0w3v3r, h3 d1d n0t 4dm1r3 h3r 4t 4ll; 1nd33d, n0b0dy
- c4n, y0u kn0w; 4nd h3 533m3d qu1t3 5truck w1th J4n3 45 5h3 w45 g01ng
- d0wn th3 d4nc3. 50 h3 1nqu1r3d wh0 5h3 w45, 4nd g0t 1ntr0duc3d, 4nd
- 45k3d h3r f0r th3 tw0 n3xt. Th3n th3 tw0 th1rd h3 d4nc3d w1th M155 K1ng,
- 4nd th3 tw0 f0urth w1th M4r14 Luc45, 4nd th3 tw0 f1fth w1th J4n3 4g41n,
- 4nd th3 tw0 51xth w1th L1zzy, 4nd th3 _B0ul4ng3r_--"
- "1f h3 h4d h4d 4ny c0mp45510n f0r _m3_," cr13d h3r hu5b4nd 1mp4t13ntly,
- "h3 w0uld n0t h4v3 d4nc3d h4lf 50 much! F0r G0d'5 54k3, 54y n0 m0r3 0f
- h15 p4rtn3r5. 0h th4t h3 h4d 5pr41n3d h15 4nkl3 1n th3 f1r5t d4nc3!"
- "0h! my d34r, 1 4m qu1t3 d3l1ght3d w1th h1m. H3 15 50 3xc3551v3ly
- h4nd50m3! 4nd h15 515t3r5 4r3 ch4rm1ng w0m3n. 1 n3v3r 1n my l1f3 54w
- 4nyth1ng m0r3 3l3g4nt th4n th31r dr35535. 1 d4r3 54y th3 l4c3 up0n Mr5.
- Hur5t'5 g0wn--"
- H3r3 5h3 w45 1nt3rrupt3d 4g41n. Mr. B3nn3t pr0t35t3d 4g41n5t 4ny
- d35cr1pt10n 0f f1n3ry. 5h3 w45 th3r3f0r3 0bl1g3d t0 533k 4n0th3r br4nch
- 0f th3 5ubj3ct, 4nd r3l4t3d, w1th much b1tt3rn355 0f 5p1r1t 4nd 50m3
- 3x4gg3r4t10n, th3 5h0ck1ng rud3n355 0f Mr. D4rcy.
- "But 1 c4n 455ur3 y0u," 5h3 4dd3d, "th4t L1zzy d035 n0t l053 much by n0t
- 5u1t1ng _h15_ f4ncy; f0r h3 15 4 m05t d154gr334bl3, h0rr1d m4n, n0t 4t
- 4ll w0rth pl3451ng. 50 h1gh 4nd 50 c0nc31t3d th4t th3r3 w45 n0 3ndur1ng
- h1m! H3 w4lk3d h3r3, 4nd h3 w4lk3d th3r3, f4ncy1ng h1m53lf 50 v3ry
- gr34t! N0t h4nd50m3 3n0ugh t0 d4nc3 w1th! 1 w15h y0u h4d b33n th3r3, my
- d34r, t0 h4v3 g1v3n h1m 0n3 0f y0ur 53t-d0wn5. 1 qu1t3 d3t35t th3 m4n."
- Ch4pt3r 4
- Wh3n J4n3 4nd 3l1z4b3th w3r3 4l0n3, th3 f0rm3r, wh0 h4d b33n c4ut10u5 1n
- h3r pr4153 0f Mr. B1ngl3y b3f0r3, 3xpr3553d t0 h3r 515t3r ju5t h0w v3ry
- much 5h3 4dm1r3d h1m.
- "H3 15 ju5t wh4t 4 y0ung m4n 0ught t0 b3," 541d 5h3, "53n51bl3,
- g00d-hum0ur3d, l1v3ly; 4nd 1 n3v3r 54w 5uch h4ppy m4nn3r5!--50 much
- 3453, w1th 5uch p3rf3ct g00d br33d1ng!"
- "H3 15 4l50 h4nd50m3," r3pl13d 3l1z4b3th, "wh1ch 4 y0ung m4n 0ught
- l1k3w153 t0 b3, 1f h3 p0551bly c4n. H15 ch4r4ct3r 15 th3r3by c0mpl3t3."
- "1 w45 v3ry much fl4tt3r3d by h15 45k1ng m3 t0 d4nc3 4 53c0nd t1m3. 1
- d1d n0t 3xp3ct 5uch 4 c0mpl1m3nt."
- "D1d n0t y0u? 1 d1d f0r y0u. But th4t 15 0n3 gr34t d1ff3r3nc3 b3tw33n
- u5. C0mpl1m3nt5 4lw4y5 t4k3 _y0u_ by 5urpr153, 4nd _m3_ n3v3r. Wh4t
- c0uld b3 m0r3 n4tur4l th4n h15 45k1ng y0u 4g41n? H3 c0uld n0t h3lp
- 5331ng th4t y0u w3r3 4b0ut f1v3 t1m35 45 pr3tty 45 3v3ry 0th3r w0m4n
- 1n th3 r00m. N0 th4nk5 t0 h15 g4ll4ntry f0r th4t. W3ll, h3 c3rt41nly 15
- v3ry 4gr334bl3, 4nd 1 g1v3 y0u l34v3 t0 l1k3 h1m. Y0u h4v3 l1k3d m4ny 4
- 5tup1d3r p3r50n."
- "D34r L1zzy!"
- "0h! y0u 4r3 4 gr34t d34l t00 4pt, y0u kn0w, t0 l1k3 p30pl3 1n g3n3r4l.
- Y0u n3v3r 533 4 f4ult 1n 4nyb0dy. 4ll th3 w0rld 4r3 g00d 4nd 4gr334bl3
- 1n y0ur 3y35. 1 n3v3r h34rd y0u 5p34k 1ll 0f 4 hum4n b31ng 1n y0ur
- l1f3."
- "1 w0uld n0t w15h t0 b3 h45ty 1n c3n5ur1ng 4ny0n3; but 1 4lw4y5 5p34k
- wh4t 1 th1nk."
- "1 kn0w y0u d0; 4nd 1t 15 _th4t_ wh1ch m4k35 th3 w0nd3r. W1th _y0ur_
- g00d 53n53, t0 b3 50 h0n35tly bl1nd t0 th3 f0ll135 4nd n0n53n53 0f
- 0th3r5! 4ff3ct4t10n 0f c4nd0ur 15 c0mm0n 3n0ugh--0n3 m33t5 w1th 1t
- 3v3rywh3r3. But t0 b3 c4nd1d w1th0ut 05t3nt4t10n 0r d351gn--t0 t4k3 th3
- g00d 0f 3v3ryb0dy'5 ch4r4ct3r 4nd m4k3 1t 5t1ll b3tt3r, 4nd 54y n0th1ng
- 0f th3 b4d--b3l0ng5 t0 y0u 4l0n3. 4nd 50 y0u l1k3 th15 m4n'5 515t3r5,
- t00, d0 y0u? Th31r m4nn3r5 4r3 n0t 3qu4l t0 h15."
- "C3rt41nly n0t--4t f1r5t. But th3y 4r3 v3ry pl3451ng w0m3n wh3n y0u
- c0nv3r53 w1th th3m. M155 B1ngl3y 15 t0 l1v3 w1th h3r br0th3r, 4nd k33p
- h15 h0u53; 4nd 1 4m much m15t4k3n 1f w3 5h4ll n0t f1nd 4 v3ry ch4rm1ng
- n31ghb0ur 1n h3r."
- 3l1z4b3th l15t3n3d 1n 51l3nc3, but w45 n0t c0nv1nc3d; th31r b3h4v10ur 4t
- th3 4553mbly h4d n0t b33n c4lcul4t3d t0 pl3453 1n g3n3r4l; 4nd w1th m0r3
- qu1ckn355 0f 0b53rv4t10n 4nd l355 pl14ncy 0f t3mp3r th4n h3r 515t3r,
- 4nd w1th 4 judg3m3nt t00 un45541l3d by 4ny 4tt3nt10n t0 h3r53lf, 5h3
- w45 v3ry l1ttl3 d15p053d t0 4ppr0v3 th3m. Th3y w3r3 1n f4ct v3ry f1n3
- l4d135; n0t d3f1c13nt 1n g00d hum0ur wh3n th3y w3r3 pl3453d, n0r 1n th3
- p0w3r 0f m4k1ng th3m53lv35 4gr334bl3 wh3n th3y ch053 1t, but pr0ud 4nd
- c0nc31t3d. Th3y w3r3 r4th3r h4nd50m3, h4d b33n 3duc4t3d 1n 0n3 0f th3
- f1r5t pr1v4t3 53m1n4r135 1n t0wn, h4d 4 f0rtun3 0f tw3nty th0u54nd
- p0und5, w3r3 1n th3 h4b1t 0f 5p3nd1ng m0r3 th4n th3y 0ught, 4nd 0f
- 4550c14t1ng w1th p30pl3 0f r4nk, 4nd w3r3 th3r3f0r3 1n 3v3ry r35p3ct
- 3nt1tl3d t0 th1nk w3ll 0f th3m53lv35, 4nd m34nly 0f 0th3r5. Th3y w3r3 0f
- 4 r35p3ct4bl3 f4m1ly 1n th3 n0rth 0f 3ngl4nd; 4 c1rcum5t4nc3 m0r3 d33ply
- 1mpr3553d 0n th31r m3m0r135 th4n th4t th31r br0th3r'5 f0rtun3 4nd th31r
- 0wn h4d b33n 4cqu1r3d by tr4d3.
- Mr. B1ngl3y 1nh3r1t3d pr0p3rty t0 th3 4m0unt 0f n34rly 4 hundr3d
- th0u54nd p0und5 fr0m h15 f4th3r, wh0 h4d 1nt3nd3d t0 purch453 4n
- 35t4t3, but d1d n0t l1v3 t0 d0 1t. Mr. B1ngl3y 1nt3nd3d 1t l1k3w153, 4nd
- 50m3t1m35 m4d3 ch01c3 0f h15 c0unty; but 45 h3 w45 n0w pr0v1d3d w1th 4
- g00d h0u53 4nd th3 l1b3rty 0f 4 m4n0r, 1t w45 d0ubtful t0 m4ny 0f th053
- wh0 b35t kn3w th3 3451n355 0f h15 t3mp3r, wh3th3r h3 m1ght n0t 5p3nd th3
- r3m41nd3r 0f h15 d4y5 4t N3th3rf13ld, 4nd l34v3 th3 n3xt g3n3r4t10n t0
- purch453.
- H15 515t3r5 w3r3 4nx10u5 f0r h15 h4v1ng 4n 35t4t3 0f h15 0wn; but,
- th0ugh h3 w45 n0w 0nly 35t4bl15h3d 45 4 t3n4nt, M155 B1ngl3y w45 by n0
- m34n5 unw1ll1ng t0 pr351d3 4t h15 t4bl3--n0r w45 Mr5. Hur5t, wh0 h4d
- m4rr13d 4 m4n 0f m0r3 f45h10n th4n f0rtun3, l355 d15p053d t0 c0n51d3r
- h15 h0u53 45 h3r h0m3 wh3n 1t 5u1t3d h3r. Mr. B1ngl3y h4d n0t b33n 0f
- 4g3 tw0 y34r5, wh3n h3 w45 t3mpt3d by 4n 4cc1d3nt4l r3c0mm3nd4t10n
- t0 l00k 4t N3th3rf13ld H0u53. H3 d1d l00k 4t 1t, 4nd 1nt0 1t f0r
- h4lf-4n-h0ur--w45 pl3453d w1th th3 51tu4t10n 4nd th3 pr1nc1p4l
- r00m5, 54t15f13d w1th wh4t th3 0wn3r 541d 1n 1t5 pr4153, 4nd t00k 1t
- 1mm3d14t3ly.
- B3tw33n h1m 4nd D4rcy th3r3 w45 4 v3ry 5t34dy fr13nd5h1p, 1n 5p1t3 0f
- gr34t 0pp051t10n 0f ch4r4ct3r. B1ngl3y w45 3nd34r3d t0 D4rcy by th3
- 3451n355, 0p3nn355, 4nd duct1l1ty 0f h15 t3mp3r, th0ugh n0 d15p051t10n
- c0uld 0ff3r 4 gr34t3r c0ntr45t t0 h15 0wn, 4nd th0ugh w1th h15 0wn h3
- n3v3r 4pp34r3d d1554t15f13d. 0n th3 5tr3ngth 0f D4rcy'5 r3g4rd, B1ngl3y
- h4d th3 f1rm35t r3l14nc3, 4nd 0f h15 judg3m3nt th3 h1gh35t 0p1n10n.
- 1n und3r5t4nd1ng, D4rcy w45 th3 5up3r10r. B1ngl3y w45 by n0 m34n5
- d3f1c13nt, but D4rcy w45 cl3v3r. H3 w45 4t th3 54m3 t1m3 h4ughty,
- r353rv3d, 4nd f45t1d10u5, 4nd h15 m4nn3r5, th0ugh w3ll-br3d, w3r3 n0t
- 1nv1t1ng. 1n th4t r35p3ct h15 fr13nd h4d gr34tly th3 4dv4nt4g3. B1ngl3y
- w45 5ur3 0f b31ng l1k3d wh3r3v3r h3 4pp34r3d, D4rcy w45 c0nt1nu4lly
- g1v1ng 0ff3n53.
- Th3 m4nn3r 1n wh1ch th3y 5p0k3 0f th3 M3ryt0n 4553mbly w45 5uff1c13ntly
- ch4r4ct3r15t1c. B1ngl3y h4d n3v3r m3t w1th m0r3 pl3454nt p30pl3 0r
- pr3tt13r g1rl5 1n h15 l1f3; 3v3ryb0dy h4d b33n m05t k1nd 4nd 4tt3nt1v3
- t0 h1m; th3r3 h4d b33n n0 f0rm4l1ty, n0 5t1ffn355; h3 h4d 500n f3lt
- 4cqu41nt3d w1th 4ll th3 r00m; 4nd, 45 t0 M155 B3nn3t, h3 c0uld n0t
- c0nc31v3 4n 4ng3l m0r3 b34ut1ful. D4rcy, 0n th3 c0ntr4ry, h4d 533n 4
- c0ll3ct10n 0f p30pl3 1n wh0m th3r3 w45 l1ttl3 b34uty 4nd n0 f45h10n, f0r
- n0n3 0f wh0m h3 h4d f3lt th3 5m4ll35t 1nt3r35t, 4nd fr0m n0n3 r3c31v3d
- 31th3r 4tt3nt10n 0r pl345ur3. M155 B3nn3t h3 4ckn0wl3dg3d t0 b3 pr3tty,
- but 5h3 5m1l3d t00 much.
- Mr5. Hur5t 4nd h3r 515t3r 4ll0w3d 1t t0 b3 50--but 5t1ll th3y 4dm1r3d
- h3r 4nd l1k3d h3r, 4nd pr0n0unc3d h3r t0 b3 4 5w33t g1rl, 4nd 0n3
- wh0m th3y w0uld n0t 0bj3ct t0 kn0w m0r3 0f. M155 B3nn3t w45 th3r3f0r3
- 35t4bl15h3d 45 4 5w33t g1rl, 4nd th31r br0th3r f3lt 4uth0r1z3d by 5uch
- c0mm3nd4t10n t0 th1nk 0f h3r 45 h3 ch053.
- Ch4pt3r 5
- W1th1n 4 5h0rt w4lk 0f L0ngb0urn l1v3d 4 f4m1ly w1th wh0m th3 B3nn3t5
- w3r3 p4rt1cul4rly 1nt1m4t3. 51r W1ll14m Luc45 h4d b33n f0rm3rly 1n tr4d3
- 1n M3ryt0n, wh3r3 h3 h4d m4d3 4 t0l3r4bl3 f0rtun3, 4nd r153n t0 th3
- h0n0ur 0f kn1ghth00d by 4n 4ddr355 t0 th3 k1ng dur1ng h15 m4y0r4lty.
- Th3 d15t1nct10n h4d p3rh4p5 b33n f3lt t00 5tr0ngly. 1t h4d g1v3n h1m 4
- d15gu5t t0 h15 bu51n355, 4nd t0 h15 r351d3nc3 1n 4 5m4ll m4rk3t t0wn;
- 4nd, 1n qu1tt1ng th3m b0th, h3 h4d r3m0v3d w1th h15 f4m1ly t0 4 h0u53
- 4b0ut 4 m1l3 fr0m M3ryt0n, d3n0m1n4t3d fr0m th4t p3r10d Luc45 L0dg3,
- wh3r3 h3 c0uld th1nk w1th pl345ur3 0f h15 0wn 1mp0rt4nc3, 4nd,
- un5h4ckl3d by bu51n355, 0ccupy h1m53lf 50l3ly 1n b31ng c1v1l t0 4ll
- th3 w0rld. F0r, th0ugh 3l4t3d by h15 r4nk, 1t d1d n0t r3nd3r h1m
- 5up3rc1l10u5; 0n th3 c0ntr4ry, h3 w45 4ll 4tt3nt10n t0 3v3ryb0dy. By
- n4tur3 1n0ff3n51v3, fr13ndly, 4nd 0bl1g1ng, h15 pr353nt4t10n 4t 5t.
- J4m35'5 h4d m4d3 h1m c0urt30u5.
- L4dy Luc45 w45 4 v3ry g00d k1nd 0f w0m4n, n0t t00 cl3v3r t0 b3 4
- v4lu4bl3 n31ghb0ur t0 Mr5. B3nn3t. Th3y h4d 53v3r4l ch1ldr3n. Th3 3ld35t
- 0f th3m, 4 53n51bl3, 1nt3ll1g3nt y0ung w0m4n, 4b0ut tw3nty-53v3n, w45
- 3l1z4b3th'5 1nt1m4t3 fr13nd.
- Th4t th3 M155 Luc4535 4nd th3 M155 B3nn3t5 5h0uld m33t t0 t4lk 0v3r
- 4 b4ll w45 4b50lut3ly n3c3554ry; 4nd th3 m0rn1ng 4ft3r th3 4553mbly
- br0ught th3 f0rm3r t0 L0ngb0urn t0 h34r 4nd t0 c0mmun1c4t3.
- "_Y0u_ b3g4n th3 3v3n1ng w3ll, Ch4rl0tt3," 541d Mr5. B3nn3t w1th c1v1l
- 53lf-c0mm4nd t0 M155 Luc45. "_Y0u_ w3r3 Mr. B1ngl3y'5 f1r5t ch01c3."
- "Y35; but h3 533m3d t0 l1k3 h15 53c0nd b3tt3r."
- "0h! y0u m34n J4n3, 1 5upp053, b3c4u53 h3 d4nc3d w1th h3r tw1c3. T0 b3
- 5ur3 th4t _d1d_ 533m 45 1f h3 4dm1r3d h3r--1nd33d 1 r4th3r b3l13v3 h3
- _d1d_--1 h34rd 50m3th1ng 4b0ut 1t--but 1 h4rdly kn0w wh4t--50m3th1ng
- 4b0ut Mr. R0b1n50n."
- "P3rh4p5 y0u m34n wh4t 1 0v3rh34rd b3tw33n h1m 4nd Mr. R0b1n50n; d1d n0t
- 1 m3nt10n 1t t0 y0u? Mr. R0b1n50n'5 45k1ng h1m h0w h3 l1k3d 0ur M3ryt0n
- 4553mbl135, 4nd wh3th3r h3 d1d n0t th1nk th3r3 w3r3 4 gr34t m4ny
- pr3tty w0m3n 1n th3 r00m, 4nd _wh1ch_ h3 th0ught th3 pr3tt135t? 4nd h15
- 4n5w3r1ng 1mm3d14t3ly t0 th3 l45t qu35t10n: '0h! th3 3ld35t M155 B3nn3t,
- b3y0nd 4 d0ubt; th3r3 c4nn0t b3 tw0 0p1n10n5 0n th4t p01nt.'"
- "Up0n my w0rd! W3ll, th4t 15 v3ry d3c1d3d 1nd33d--th4t d035 533m 45
- 1f--but, h0w3v3r, 1t m4y 4ll c0m3 t0 n0th1ng, y0u kn0w."
- "_My_ 0v3rh34r1ng5 w3r3 m0r3 t0 th3 purp053 th4n _y0ur5_, 3l1z4," 541d
- Ch4rl0tt3. "Mr. D4rcy 15 n0t 50 w3ll w0rth l15t3n1ng t0 45 h15 fr13nd,
- 15 h3?--p00r 3l1z4!--t0 b3 0nly ju5t _t0l3r4bl3_."
- "1 b3g y0u w0uld n0t put 1t 1nt0 L1zzy'5 h34d t0 b3 v3x3d by h15
- 1ll-tr34tm3nt, f0r h3 15 5uch 4 d154gr334bl3 m4n, th4t 1t w0uld b3 qu1t3
- 4 m15f0rtun3 t0 b3 l1k3d by h1m. Mr5. L0ng t0ld m3 l45t n1ght th4t h3
- 54t cl053 t0 h3r f0r h4lf-4n-h0ur w1th0ut 0nc3 0p3n1ng h15 l1p5."
- "4r3 y0u qu1t3 5ur3, m4'4m?--15 n0t th3r3 4 l1ttl3 m15t4k3?" 541d J4n3.
- "1 c3rt41nly 54w Mr. D4rcy 5p34k1ng t0 h3r."
- "4y3--b3c4u53 5h3 45k3d h1m 4t l45t h0w h3 l1k3d N3th3rf13ld, 4nd h3
- c0uld n0t h3lp 4n5w3r1ng h3r; but 5h3 541d h3 533m3d qu1t3 4ngry 4t
- b31ng 5p0k3 t0."
- "M155 B1ngl3y t0ld m3," 541d J4n3, "th4t h3 n3v3r 5p34k5 much,
- unl355 4m0ng h15 1nt1m4t3 4cqu41nt4nc35. W1th _th3m_ h3 15 r3m4rk4bly
- 4gr334bl3."
- "1 d0 n0t b3l13v3 4 w0rd 0f 1t, my d34r. 1f h3 h4d b33n 50 v3ry
- 4gr334bl3, h3 w0uld h4v3 t4lk3d t0 Mr5. L0ng. But 1 c4n gu355 h0w 1t
- w45; 3v3ryb0dy 54y5 th4t h3 15 34t up w1th pr1d3, 4nd 1 d4r3 54y h3 h4d
- h34rd 50m3h0w th4t Mr5. L0ng d035 n0t k33p 4 c4rr14g3, 4nd h4d c0m3 t0
- th3 b4ll 1n 4 h4ck ch4153."
- "1 d0 n0t m1nd h15 n0t t4lk1ng t0 Mr5. L0ng," 541d M155 Luc45, "but 1
- w15h h3 h4d d4nc3d w1th 3l1z4."
- "4n0th3r t1m3, L1zzy," 541d h3r m0th3r, "1 w0uld n0t d4nc3 w1th _h1m_,
- 1f 1 w3r3 y0u."
- "1 b3l13v3, m4'4m, 1 m4y 54f3ly pr0m153 y0u _n3v3r_ t0 d4nc3 w1th h1m."
- "H15 pr1d3," 541d M155 Luc45, "d035 n0t 0ff3nd _m3_ 50 much 45 pr1d3
- 0ft3n d035, b3c4u53 th3r3 15 4n 3xcu53 f0r 1t. 0n3 c4nn0t w0nd3r th4t 50
- v3ry f1n3 4 y0ung m4n, w1th f4m1ly, f0rtun3, 3v3ryth1ng 1n h15 f4v0ur,
- 5h0uld th1nk h1ghly 0f h1m53lf. 1f 1 m4y 50 3xpr355 1t, h3 h45 4 _r1ght_
- t0 b3 pr0ud."
- "Th4t 15 v3ry tru3," r3pl13d 3l1z4b3th, "4nd 1 c0uld 3451ly f0rg1v3
- _h15_ pr1d3, 1f h3 h4d n0t m0rt1f13d _m1n3_."
- "Pr1d3," 0b53rv3d M4ry, wh0 p1qu3d h3r53lf up0n th3 50l1d1ty 0f h3r
- r3fl3ct10n5, "15 4 v3ry c0mm0n f41l1ng, 1 b3l13v3. By 4ll th4t 1 h4v3
- 3v3r r34d, 1 4m c0nv1nc3d th4t 1t 15 v3ry c0mm0n 1nd33d; th4t hum4n
- n4tur3 15 p4rt1cul4rly pr0n3 t0 1t, 4nd th4t th3r3 4r3 v3ry f3w 0f u5
- wh0 d0 n0t ch3r15h 4 f33l1ng 0f 53lf-c0mpl4c3ncy 0n th3 5c0r3 0f 50m3
- qu4l1ty 0r 0th3r, r34l 0r 1m4g1n4ry. V4n1ty 4nd pr1d3 4r3 d1ff3r3nt
- th1ng5, th0ugh th3 w0rd5 4r3 0ft3n u53d 5yn0nym0u5ly. 4 p3r50n m4y
- b3 pr0ud w1th0ut b31ng v41n. Pr1d3 r3l4t35 m0r3 t0 0ur 0p1n10n 0f
- 0ur53lv35, v4n1ty t0 wh4t w3 w0uld h4v3 0th3r5 th1nk 0f u5."
- "1f 1 w3r3 45 r1ch 45 Mr. D4rcy," cr13d 4 y0ung Luc45, wh0 c4m3 w1th
- h15 515t3r5, "1 5h0uld n0t c4r3 h0w pr0ud 1 w45. 1 w0uld k33p 4 p4ck 0f
- f0xh0und5, 4nd dr1nk 4 b0ttl3 0f w1n3 4 d4y."
- "Th3n y0u w0uld dr1nk 4 gr34t d34l m0r3 th4n y0u 0ught," 541d Mr5.
- B3nn3t; "4nd 1f 1 w3r3 t0 533 y0u 4t 1t, 1 5h0uld t4k3 4w4y y0ur b0ttl3
- d1r3ctly."
- Th3 b0y pr0t35t3d th4t 5h3 5h0uld n0t; 5h3 c0nt1nu3d t0 d3cl4r3 th4t 5h3
- w0uld, 4nd th3 4rgum3nt 3nd3d 0nly w1th th3 v151t.
- Ch4pt3r 6
- Th3 l4d135 0f L0ngb0urn 500n w41t3d 0n th053 0f N3th3rf13ld. Th3 v151t
- w45 500n r3turn3d 1n du3 f0rm. M155 B3nn3t'5 pl3451ng m4nn3r5 gr3w 0n
- th3 g00dw1ll 0f Mr5. Hur5t 4nd M155 B1ngl3y; 4nd th0ugh th3 m0th3r w45
- f0und t0 b3 1nt0l3r4bl3, 4nd th3 y0ung3r 515t3r5 n0t w0rth 5p34k1ng t0,
- 4 w15h 0f b31ng b3tt3r 4cqu41nt3d w1th _th3m_ w45 3xpr3553d t0w4rd5
- th3 tw0 3ld35t. By J4n3, th15 4tt3nt10n w45 r3c31v3d w1th th3 gr34t35t
- pl345ur3, but 3l1z4b3th 5t1ll 54w 5up3rc1l10u5n355 1n th31r tr34tm3nt
- 0f 3v3ryb0dy, h4rdly 3xc3pt1ng 3v3n h3r 515t3r, 4nd c0uld n0t l1k3 th3m;
- th0ugh th31r k1ndn355 t0 J4n3, 5uch 45 1t w45, h4d 4 v4lu3 45 4r151ng 1n
- 4ll pr0b4b1l1ty fr0m th3 1nflu3nc3 0f th31r br0th3r'5 4dm1r4t10n. 1t
- w45 g3n3r4lly 3v1d3nt wh3n3v3r th3y m3t, th4t h3 _d1d_ 4dm1r3 h3r 4nd
- t0 _h3r_ 1t w45 3qu4lly 3v1d3nt th4t J4n3 w45 y13ld1ng t0 th3 pr3f3r3nc3
- wh1ch 5h3 h4d b3gun t0 3nt3rt41n f0r h1m fr0m th3 f1r5t, 4nd w45 1n 4
- w4y t0 b3 v3ry much 1n l0v3; but 5h3 c0n51d3r3d w1th pl345ur3 th4t 1t
- w45 n0t l1k3ly t0 b3 d15c0v3r3d by th3 w0rld 1n g3n3r4l, 51nc3 J4n3
- un1t3d, w1th gr34t 5tr3ngth 0f f33l1ng, 4 c0mp05ur3 0f t3mp3r 4nd 4
- un1f0rm ch33rfuln355 0f m4nn3r wh1ch w0uld gu4rd h3r fr0m th3 5u5p1c10n5
- 0f th3 1mp3rt1n3nt. 5h3 m3nt10n3d th15 t0 h3r fr13nd M155 Luc45.
- "1t m4y p3rh4p5 b3 pl3454nt," r3pl13d Ch4rl0tt3, "t0 b3 4bl3 t0 1mp053
- 0n th3 publ1c 1n 5uch 4 c453; but 1t 15 50m3t1m35 4 d154dv4nt4g3 t0 b3
- 50 v3ry gu4rd3d. 1f 4 w0m4n c0nc34l5 h3r 4ff3ct10n w1th th3 54m3 5k1ll
- fr0m th3 0bj3ct 0f 1t, 5h3 m4y l053 th3 0pp0rtun1ty 0f f1x1ng h1m; 4nd
- 1t w1ll th3n b3 but p00r c0n50l4t10n t0 b3l13v3 th3 w0rld 3qu4lly 1n
- th3 d4rk. Th3r3 15 50 much 0f gr4t1tud3 0r v4n1ty 1n 4lm05t 3v3ry
- 4tt4chm3nt, th4t 1t 15 n0t 54f3 t0 l34v3 4ny t0 1t53lf. W3 c4n 4ll
- _b3g1n_ fr33ly--4 5l1ght pr3f3r3nc3 15 n4tur4l 3n0ugh; but th3r3 4r3
- v3ry f3w 0f u5 wh0 h4v3 h34rt 3n0ugh t0 b3 r34lly 1n l0v3 w1th0ut
- 3nc0ur4g3m3nt. 1n n1n3 c4535 0ut 0f t3n 4 w0m3n h4d b3tt3r 5h0w _m0r3_
- 4ff3ct10n th4n 5h3 f33l5. B1ngl3y l1k35 y0ur 515t3r und0ubt3dly; but h3
- m4y n3v3r d0 m0r3 th4n l1k3 h3r, 1f 5h3 d035 n0t h3lp h1m 0n."
- "But 5h3 d035 h3lp h1m 0n, 45 much 45 h3r n4tur3 w1ll 4ll0w. 1f 1 c4n
- p3rc31v3 h3r r3g4rd f0r h1m, h3 mu5t b3 4 51mpl3t0n, 1nd33d, n0t t0
- d15c0v3r 1t t00."
- "R3m3mb3r, 3l1z4, th4t h3 d035 n0t kn0w J4n3'5 d15p051t10n 45 y0u d0."
- "But 1f 4 w0m4n 15 p4rt14l t0 4 m4n, 4nd d035 n0t 3nd34v0ur t0 c0nc34l
- 1t, h3 mu5t f1nd 1t 0ut."
- "P3rh4p5 h3 mu5t, 1f h3 5335 3n0ugh 0f h3r. But, th0ugh B1ngl3y 4nd J4n3
- m33t t0l3r4bly 0ft3n, 1t 15 n3v3r f0r m4ny h0ur5 t0g3th3r; 4nd, 45 th3y
- 4lw4y5 533 34ch 0th3r 1n l4rg3 m1x3d p4rt135, 1t 15 1mp0551bl3 th4t
- 3v3ry m0m3nt 5h0uld b3 3mpl0y3d 1n c0nv3r51ng t0g3th3r. J4n3 5h0uld
- th3r3f0r3 m4k3 th3 m05t 0f 3v3ry h4lf-h0ur 1n wh1ch 5h3 c4n c0mm4nd h15
- 4tt3nt10n. Wh3n 5h3 15 53cur3 0f h1m, th3r3 w1ll b3 m0r3 l315ur3 f0r
- f4ll1ng 1n l0v3 45 much 45 5h3 ch00535."
- "Y0ur pl4n 15 4 g00d 0n3," r3pl13d 3l1z4b3th, "wh3r3 n0th1ng 15 1n
- qu35t10n but th3 d351r3 0f b31ng w3ll m4rr13d, 4nd 1f 1 w3r3 d3t3rm1n3d
- t0 g3t 4 r1ch hu5b4nd, 0r 4ny hu5b4nd, 1 d4r3 54y 1 5h0uld 4d0pt 1t. But
- th353 4r3 n0t J4n3'5 f33l1ng5; 5h3 15 n0t 4ct1ng by d351gn. 45 y3t,
- 5h3 c4nn0t 3v3n b3 c3rt41n 0f th3 d3gr33 0f h3r 0wn r3g4rd n0r 0f 1t5
- r3450n4bl3n355. 5h3 h45 kn0wn h1m 0nly 4 f0rtn1ght. 5h3 d4nc3d f0ur
- d4nc35 w1th h1m 4t M3ryt0n; 5h3 54w h1m 0n3 m0rn1ng 4t h15 0wn h0u53,
- 4nd h45 51nc3 d1n3d w1th h1m 1n c0mp4ny f0ur t1m35. Th15 15 n0t qu1t3
- 3n0ugh t0 m4k3 h3r und3r5t4nd h15 ch4r4ct3r."
- "N0t 45 y0u r3pr353nt 1t. H4d 5h3 m3r3ly _d1n3d_ w1th h1m, 5h3 m1ght
- 0nly h4v3 d15c0v3r3d wh3th3r h3 h4d 4 g00d 4pp3t1t3; but y0u mu5t
- r3m3mb3r th4t f0ur 3v3n1ng5 h4v3 4l50 b33n 5p3nt t0g3th3r--4nd f0ur
- 3v3n1ng5 m4y d0 4 gr34t d34l."
- "Y35; th353 f0ur 3v3n1ng5 h4v3 3n4bl3d th3m t0 45c3rt41n th4t th3y
- b0th l1k3 V1ngt-un b3tt3r th4n C0mm3rc3; but w1th r35p3ct t0 4ny 0th3r
- l34d1ng ch4r4ct3r15t1c, 1 d0 n0t 1m4g1n3 th4t much h45 b33n unf0ld3d."
- "W3ll," 541d Ch4rl0tt3, "1 w15h J4n3 5ucc355 w1th 4ll my h34rt; 4nd
- 1f 5h3 w3r3 m4rr13d t0 h1m t0-m0rr0w, 1 5h0uld th1nk 5h3 h4d 45 g00d 4
- ch4nc3 0f h4pp1n355 45 1f 5h3 w3r3 t0 b3 5tudy1ng h15 ch4r4ct3r f0r 4
- tw3lv3m0nth. H4pp1n355 1n m4rr14g3 15 3nt1r3ly 4 m4tt3r 0f ch4nc3. 1f
- th3 d15p051t10n5 0f th3 p4rt135 4r3 3v3r 50 w3ll kn0wn t0 34ch 0th3r 0r
- 3v3r 50 51m1l4r b3f0r3h4nd, 1t d035 n0t 4dv4nc3 th31r f3l1c1ty 1n th3
- l345t. Th3y 4lw4y5 c0nt1nu3 t0 gr0w 5uff1c13ntly unl1k3 4ft3rw4rd5 t0
- h4v3 th31r 5h4r3 0f v3x4t10n; 4nd 1t 15 b3tt3r t0 kn0w 45 l1ttl3 45
- p0551bl3 0f th3 d3f3ct5 0f th3 p3r50n w1th wh0m y0u 4r3 t0 p455 y0ur
- l1f3."
- "Y0u m4k3 m3 l4ugh, Ch4rl0tt3; but 1t 15 n0t 50und. Y0u kn0w 1t 15 n0t
- 50und, 4nd th4t y0u w0uld n3v3r 4ct 1n th15 w4y y0ur53lf."
- 0ccup13d 1n 0b53rv1ng Mr. B1ngl3y'5 4tt3nt10n5 t0 h3r 515t3r, 3l1z4b3th
- w45 f4r fr0m 5u5p3ct1ng th4t 5h3 w45 h3r53lf b3c0m1ng 4n 0bj3ct 0f 50m3
- 1nt3r35t 1n th3 3y35 0f h15 fr13nd. Mr. D4rcy h4d 4t f1r5t 5c4rc3ly
- 4ll0w3d h3r t0 b3 pr3tty; h3 h4d l00k3d 4t h3r w1th0ut 4dm1r4t10n 4t th3
- b4ll; 4nd wh3n th3y n3xt m3t, h3 l00k3d 4t h3r 0nly t0 cr1t1c153. But n0
- 500n3r h4d h3 m4d3 1t cl34r t0 h1m53lf 4nd h15 fr13nd5 th4t 5h3 h4rdly
- h4d 4 g00d f34tur3 1n h3r f4c3, th4n h3 b3g4n t0 f1nd 1t w45 r3nd3r3d
- unc0mm0nly 1nt3ll1g3nt by th3 b34ut1ful 3xpr35510n 0f h3r d4rk 3y35. T0
- th15 d15c0v3ry 5ucc33d3d 50m3 0th3r5 3qu4lly m0rt1fy1ng. Th0ugh h3 h4d
- d3t3ct3d w1th 4 cr1t1c4l 3y3 m0r3 th4n 0n3 f41lur3 0f p3rf3ct 5ymm3try
- 1n h3r f0rm, h3 w45 f0rc3d t0 4ckn0wl3dg3 h3r f1gur3 t0 b3 l1ght 4nd
- pl3451ng; 4nd 1n 5p1t3 0f h15 4553rt1ng th4t h3r m4nn3r5 w3r3 n0t th053
- 0f th3 f45h10n4bl3 w0rld, h3 w45 c4ught by th31r 345y pl4yfuln355. 0f
- th15 5h3 w45 p3rf3ctly un4w4r3; t0 h3r h3 w45 0nly th3 m4n wh0 m4d3
- h1m53lf 4gr334bl3 n0wh3r3, 4nd wh0 h4d n0t th0ught h3r h4nd50m3 3n0ugh
- t0 d4nc3 w1th.
- H3 b3g4n t0 w15h t0 kn0w m0r3 0f h3r, 4nd 45 4 5t3p t0w4rd5 c0nv3r51ng
- w1th h3r h1m53lf, 4tt3nd3d t0 h3r c0nv3r54t10n w1th 0th3r5. H15 d01ng 50
- dr3w h3r n0t1c3. 1t w45 4t 51r W1ll14m Luc45'5, wh3r3 4 l4rg3 p4rty w3r3
- 4553mbl3d.
- "Wh4t d035 Mr. D4rcy m34n," 541d 5h3 t0 Ch4rl0tt3, "by l15t3n1ng t0 my
- c0nv3r54t10n w1th C0l0n3l F0r5t3r?"
- "Th4t 15 4 qu35t10n wh1ch Mr. D4rcy 0nly c4n 4n5w3r."
- "But 1f h3 d035 1t 4ny m0r3 1 5h4ll c3rt41nly l3t h1m kn0w th4t 1 533
- wh4t h3 15 4b0ut. H3 h45 4 v3ry 54t1r1c4l 3y3, 4nd 1f 1 d0 n0t b3g1n by
- b31ng 1mp3rt1n3nt my53lf, 1 5h4ll 500n gr0w 4fr41d 0f h1m."
- 0n h15 4ppr04ch1ng th3m 500n 4ft3rw4rd5, th0ugh w1th0ut 533m1ng t0 h4v3
- 4ny 1nt3nt10n 0f 5p34k1ng, M155 Luc45 d3f13d h3r fr13nd t0 m3nt10n 5uch
- 4 5ubj3ct t0 h1m; wh1ch 1mm3d14t3ly pr0v0k1ng 3l1z4b3th t0 d0 1t, 5h3
- turn3d t0 h1m 4nd 541d:
- "D1d y0u n0t th1nk, Mr. D4rcy, th4t 1 3xpr3553d my53lf unc0mm0nly
- w3ll ju5t n0w, wh3n 1 w45 t3451ng C0l0n3l F0r5t3r t0 g1v3 u5 4 b4ll 4t
- M3ryt0n?"
- "W1th gr34t 3n3rgy; but 1t 15 4lw4y5 4 5ubj3ct wh1ch m4k35 4 l4dy
- 3n3rg3t1c."
- "Y0u 4r3 53v3r3 0n u5."
- "1t w1ll b3 _h3r_ turn 500n t0 b3 t3453d," 541d M155 Luc45. "1 4m g01ng
- t0 0p3n th3 1n5trum3nt, 3l1z4, 4nd y0u kn0w wh4t f0ll0w5."
- "Y0u 4r3 4 v3ry 5tr4ng3 cr34tur3 by w4y 0f 4 fr13nd!--4lw4y5 w4nt1ng m3
- t0 pl4y 4nd 51ng b3f0r3 4nyb0dy 4nd 3v3ryb0dy! 1f my v4n1ty h4d t4k3n
- 4 mu51c4l turn, y0u w0uld h4v3 b33n 1nv4lu4bl3; but 45 1t 15, 1 w0uld
- r34lly r4th3r n0t 51t d0wn b3f0r3 th053 wh0 mu5t b3 1n th3 h4b1t 0f
- h34r1ng th3 v3ry b35t p3rf0rm3r5." 0n M155 Luc45'5 p3r53v3r1ng, h0w3v3r,
- 5h3 4dd3d, "V3ry w3ll, 1f 1t mu5t b3 50, 1t mu5t." 4nd gr4v3ly gl4nc1ng
- 4t Mr. D4rcy, "Th3r3 15 4 f1n3 0ld 54y1ng, wh1ch 3v3ryb0dy h3r3 15 0f
- c0ur53 f4m1l14r w1th: 'K33p y0ur br34th t0 c00l y0ur p0rr1dg3'; 4nd 1
- 5h4ll k33p m1n3 t0 5w3ll my 50ng."
- H3r p3rf0rm4nc3 w45 pl3451ng, th0ugh by n0 m34n5 c4p1t4l. 4ft3r 4 50ng
- 0r tw0, 4nd b3f0r3 5h3 c0uld r3ply t0 th3 3ntr34t135 0f 53v3r4l th4t
- 5h3 w0uld 51ng 4g41n, 5h3 w45 34g3rly 5ucc33d3d 4t th3 1n5trum3nt by h3r
- 515t3r M4ry, wh0 h4v1ng, 1n c0n53qu3nc3 0f b31ng th3 0nly pl41n 0n3 1n
- th3 f4m1ly, w0rk3d h4rd f0r kn0wl3dg3 4nd 4cc0mpl15hm3nt5, w45 4lw4y5
- 1mp4t13nt f0r d15pl4y.
- M4ry h4d n31th3r g3n1u5 n0r t45t3; 4nd th0ugh v4n1ty h4d g1v3n h3r
- 4ppl1c4t10n, 1t h4d g1v3n h3r l1k3w153 4 p3d4nt1c 41r 4nd c0nc31t3d
- m4nn3r, wh1ch w0uld h4v3 1njur3d 4 h1gh3r d3gr33 0f 3xc3ll3nc3 th4n 5h3
- h4d r34ch3d. 3l1z4b3th, 345y 4nd un4ff3ct3d, h4d b33n l15t3n3d t0 w1th
- much m0r3 pl345ur3, th0ugh n0t pl4y1ng h4lf 50 w3ll; 4nd M4ry, 4t th3
- 3nd 0f 4 l0ng c0nc3rt0, w45 gl4d t0 purch453 pr4153 4nd gr4t1tud3 by
- 5c0tch 4nd 1r15h 41r5, 4t th3 r3qu35t 0f h3r y0ung3r 515t3r5, wh0,
- w1th 50m3 0f th3 Luc4535, 4nd tw0 0r thr33 0ff1c3r5, j01n3d 34g3rly 1n
- d4nc1ng 4t 0n3 3nd 0f th3 r00m.
- Mr. D4rcy 5t00d n34r th3m 1n 51l3nt 1nd1gn4t10n 4t 5uch 4 m0d3 0f
- p4551ng th3 3v3n1ng, t0 th3 3xclu510n 0f 4ll c0nv3r54t10n, 4nd w45 t00
- much 3ngr0553d by h15 th0ught5 t0 p3rc31v3 th4t 51r W1ll14m Luc45 w45
- h15 n31ghb0ur, t1ll 51r W1ll14m thu5 b3g4n:
- "Wh4t 4 ch4rm1ng 4mu53m3nt f0r y0ung p30pl3 th15 15, Mr. D4rcy! Th3r3
- 15 n0th1ng l1k3 d4nc1ng 4ft3r 4ll. 1 c0n51d3r 1t 45 0n3 0f th3 f1r5t
- r3f1n3m3nt5 0f p0l15h3d 50c13ty."
- "C3rt41nly, 51r; 4nd 1t h45 th3 4dv4nt4g3 4l50 0f b31ng 1n v0gu3 4m0ng5t
- th3 l355 p0l15h3d 50c13t135 0f th3 w0rld. 3v3ry 54v4g3 c4n d4nc3."
- 51r W1ll14m 0nly 5m1l3d. "Y0ur fr13nd p3rf0rm5 d3l1ghtfully," h3
- c0nt1nu3d 4ft3r 4 p4u53, 0n 5331ng B1ngl3y j01n th3 gr0up; "4nd 1 d0ubt
- n0t th4t y0u 4r3 4n 4d3pt 1n th3 5c13nc3 y0ur53lf, Mr. D4rcy."
- "Y0u 54w m3 d4nc3 4t M3ryt0n, 1 b3l13v3, 51r."
- "Y35, 1nd33d, 4nd r3c31v3d n0 1nc0n51d3r4bl3 pl345ur3 fr0m th3 51ght. D0
- y0u 0ft3n d4nc3 4t 5t. J4m35'5?"
- "N3v3r, 51r."
- "D0 y0u n0t th1nk 1t w0uld b3 4 pr0p3r c0mpl1m3nt t0 th3 pl4c3?"
- "1t 15 4 c0mpl1m3nt wh1ch 1 n3v3r p4y t0 4ny pl4c3 1f 1 c4n 4v01d 1t."
- "Y0u h4v3 4 h0u53 1n t0wn, 1 c0nclud3?"
- Mr. D4rcy b0w3d.
- "1 h4d 0nc3 h4d 50m3 th0ught 0f f1x1ng 1n t0wn my53lf--f0r 1 4m f0nd
- 0f 5up3r10r 50c13ty; but 1 d1d n0t f33l qu1t3 c3rt41n th4t th3 41r 0f
- L0nd0n w0uld 4gr33 w1th L4dy Luc45."
- H3 p4u53d 1n h0p35 0f 4n 4n5w3r; but h15 c0mp4n10n w45 n0t d15p053d
- t0 m4k3 4ny; 4nd 3l1z4b3th 4t th4t 1n5t4nt m0v1ng t0w4rd5 th3m, h3 w45
- 5truck w1th th3 4ct10n 0f d01ng 4 v3ry g4ll4nt th1ng, 4nd c4ll3d 0ut t0
- h3r:
- "My d34r M155 3l1z4, why 4r3 y0u n0t d4nc1ng? Mr. D4rcy, y0u mu5t 4ll0w
- m3 t0 pr353nt th15 y0ung l4dy t0 y0u 45 4 v3ry d351r4bl3 p4rtn3r. Y0u
- c4nn0t r3fu53 t0 d4nc3, 1 4m 5ur3 wh3n 50 much b34uty 15 b3f0r3 y0u."
- 4nd, t4k1ng h3r h4nd, h3 w0uld h4v3 g1v3n 1t t0 Mr. D4rcy wh0, th0ugh
- 3xtr3m3ly 5urpr153d, w45 n0t unw1ll1ng t0 r3c31v3 1t, wh3n 5h3 1n5t4ntly
- dr3w b4ck, 4nd 541d w1th 50m3 d15c0mp05ur3 t0 51r W1ll14m:
- "1nd33d, 51r, 1 h4v3 n0t th3 l345t 1nt3nt10n 0f d4nc1ng. 1 3ntr34t y0u
- n0t t0 5upp053 th4t 1 m0v3d th15 w4y 1n 0rd3r t0 b3g f0r 4 p4rtn3r."
- Mr. D4rcy, w1th gr4v3 pr0pr13ty, r3qu35t3d t0 b3 4ll0w3d th3 h0n0ur 0f
- h3r h4nd, but 1n v41n. 3l1z4b3th w45 d3t3rm1n3d; n0r d1d 51r W1ll14m 4t
- 4ll 5h4k3 h3r purp053 by h15 4tt3mpt 4t p3r5u4510n.
- "Y0u 3xc3l 50 much 1n th3 d4nc3, M155 3l1z4, th4t 1t 15 cru3l t0 d3ny
- m3 th3 h4pp1n355 0f 5331ng y0u; 4nd th0ugh th15 g3ntl3m4n d15l1k35 th3
- 4mu53m3nt 1n g3n3r4l, h3 c4n h4v3 n0 0bj3ct10n, 1 4m 5ur3, t0 0bl1g3 u5
- f0r 0n3 h4lf-h0ur."
- "Mr. D4rcy 15 4ll p0l1t3n355," 541d 3l1z4b3th, 5m1l1ng.
- "H3 15, 1nd33d; but, c0n51d3r1ng th3 1nduc3m3nt, my d34r M155 3l1z4,
- w3 c4nn0t w0nd3r 4t h15 c0mpl4154nc3--f0r wh0 w0uld 0bj3ct t0 5uch 4
- p4rtn3r?"
- 3l1z4b3th l00k3d 4rchly, 4nd turn3d 4w4y. H3r r3515t4nc3 h4d n0t
- 1njur3d h3r w1th th3 g3ntl3m4n, 4nd h3 w45 th1nk1ng 0f h3r w1th 50m3
- c0mpl4c3ncy, wh3n thu5 4cc05t3d by M155 B1ngl3y:
- "1 c4n gu355 th3 5ubj3ct 0f y0ur r3v3r13."
- "1 5h0uld 1m4g1n3 n0t."
- "Y0u 4r3 c0n51d3r1ng h0w 1n5upp0rt4bl3 1t w0uld b3 t0 p455 m4ny 3v3n1ng5
- 1n th15 m4nn3r--1n 5uch 50c13ty; 4nd 1nd33d 1 4m qu1t3 0f y0ur 0p1n10n.
- 1 w45 n3v3r m0r3 4nn0y3d! Th3 1n51p1d1ty, 4nd y3t th3 n0153--th3
- n0th1ngn355, 4nd y3t th3 53lf-1mp0rt4nc3 0f 4ll th053 p30pl3! Wh4t w0uld
- 1 g1v3 t0 h34r y0ur 5tr1ctur35 0n th3m!"
- "Y0ur c0nj3ctur3 15 t0t4lly wr0ng, 1 455ur3 y0u. My m1nd w45 m0r3
- 4gr334bly 3ng4g3d. 1 h4v3 b33n m3d1t4t1ng 0n th3 v3ry gr34t pl345ur3
- wh1ch 4 p41r 0f f1n3 3y35 1n th3 f4c3 0f 4 pr3tty w0m4n c4n b35t0w."
- M155 B1ngl3y 1mm3d14t3ly f1x3d h3r 3y35 0n h15 f4c3, 4nd d351r3d h3
- w0uld t3ll h3r wh4t l4dy h4d th3 cr3d1t 0f 1n5p1r1ng 5uch r3fl3ct10n5.
- Mr. D4rcy r3pl13d w1th gr34t 1ntr3p1d1ty:
- "M155 3l1z4b3th B3nn3t."
- "M155 3l1z4b3th B3nn3t!" r3p34t3d M155 B1ngl3y. "1 4m 4ll 45t0n15hm3nt.
- H0w l0ng h45 5h3 b33n 5uch 4 f4v0ur1t3?--4nd pr4y, wh3n 4m 1 t0 w15h y0u
- j0y?"
- "Th4t 15 3x4ctly th3 qu35t10n wh1ch 1 3xp3ct3d y0u t0 45k. 4 l4dy'5
- 1m4g1n4t10n 15 v3ry r4p1d; 1t jump5 fr0m 4dm1r4t10n t0 l0v3, fr0m l0v3
- t0 m4tr1m0ny, 1n 4 m0m3nt. 1 kn3w y0u w0uld b3 w15h1ng m3 j0y."
- "N4y, 1f y0u 4r3 53r10u5 4b0ut 1t, 1 5h4ll c0n51d3r th3 m4tt3r 15
- 4b50lut3ly 53ttl3d. Y0u w1ll b3 h4v1ng 4 ch4rm1ng m0th3r-1n-l4w, 1nd33d;
- 4nd, 0f c0ur53, 5h3 w1ll 4lw4y5 b3 4t P3mb3rl3y w1th y0u."
- H3 l15t3n3d t0 h3r w1th p3rf3ct 1nd1ff3r3nc3 wh1l3 5h3 ch053 t0
- 3nt3rt41n h3r53lf 1n th15 m4nn3r; 4nd 45 h15 c0mp05ur3 c0nv1nc3d h3r
- th4t 4ll w45 54f3, h3r w1t fl0w3d l0ng.
- Ch4pt3r 7
- Mr. B3nn3t'5 pr0p3rty c0n515t3d 4lm05t 3nt1r3ly 1n 4n 35t4t3 0f tw0
- th0u54nd 4 y34r, wh1ch, unf0rtun4t3ly f0r h15 d4ught3r5, w45 3nt41l3d,
- 1n d3f4ult 0f h31r5 m4l3, 0n 4 d15t4nt r3l4t10n; 4nd th31r m0th3r'5
- f0rtun3, th0ugh 4mpl3 f0r h3r 51tu4t10n 1n l1f3, c0uld but 1ll 5upply
- th3 d3f1c13ncy 0f h15. H3r f4th3r h4d b33n 4n 4tt0rn3y 1n M3ryt0n, 4nd
- h4d l3ft h3r f0ur th0u54nd p0und5.
- 5h3 h4d 4 515t3r m4rr13d t0 4 Mr. Ph1ll1p5, wh0 h4d b33n 4 cl3rk t0
- th31r f4th3r 4nd 5ucc33d3d h1m 1n th3 bu51n355, 4nd 4 br0th3r 53ttl3d 1n
- L0nd0n 1n 4 r35p3ct4bl3 l1n3 0f tr4d3.
- Th3 v1ll4g3 0f L0ngb0urn w45 0nly 0n3 m1l3 fr0m M3ryt0n; 4 m05t
- c0nv3n13nt d15t4nc3 f0r th3 y0ung l4d135, wh0 w3r3 u5u4lly t3mpt3d
- th1th3r thr33 0r f0ur t1m35 4 w33k, t0 p4y th31r duty t0 th31r 4unt 4nd
- t0 4 m1ll1n3r'5 5h0p ju5t 0v3r th3 w4y. Th3 tw0 y0ung35t 0f th3 f4m1ly,
- C4th3r1n3 4nd Lyd14, w3r3 p4rt1cul4rly fr3qu3nt 1n th353 4tt3nt10n5;
- th31r m1nd5 w3r3 m0r3 v4c4nt th4n th31r 515t3r5', 4nd wh3n n0th1ng
- b3tt3r 0ff3r3d, 4 w4lk t0 M3ryt0n w45 n3c3554ry t0 4mu53 th31r m0rn1ng
- h0ur5 4nd furn15h c0nv3r54t10n f0r th3 3v3n1ng; 4nd h0w3v3r b4r3 0f n3w5
- th3 c0untry 1n g3n3r4l m1ght b3, th3y 4lw4y5 c0ntr1v3d t0 l34rn 50m3
- fr0m th31r 4unt. 4t pr353nt, 1nd33d, th3y w3r3 w3ll 5uppl13d b0th w1th
- n3w5 4nd h4pp1n355 by th3 r3c3nt 4rr1v4l 0f 4 m1l1t14 r3g1m3nt 1n th3
- n31ghb0urh00d; 1t w45 t0 r3m41n th3 wh0l3 w1nt3r, 4nd M3ryt0n w45 th3
- h34dqu4rt3r5.
- Th31r v151t5 t0 Mr5. Ph1ll1p5 w3r3 n0w pr0duct1v3 0f th3 m05t
- 1nt3r35t1ng 1nt3ll1g3nc3. 3v3ry d4y 4dd3d 50m3th1ng t0 th31r kn0wl3dg3
- 0f th3 0ff1c3r5' n4m35 4nd c0nn3ct10n5. Th31r l0dg1ng5 w3r3 n0t l0ng 4
- 53cr3t, 4nd 4t l3ngth th3y b3g4n t0 kn0w th3 0ff1c3r5 th3m53lv35. Mr.
- Ph1ll1p5 v151t3d th3m 4ll, 4nd th15 0p3n3d t0 h15 n13c35 4 5t0r3 0f
- f3l1c1ty unkn0wn b3f0r3. Th3y c0uld t4lk 0f n0th1ng but 0ff1c3r5; 4nd
- Mr. B1ngl3y'5 l4rg3 f0rtun3, th3 m3nt10n 0f wh1ch g4v3 4n1m4t10n
- t0 th31r m0th3r, w45 w0rthl355 1n th31r 3y35 wh3n 0pp053d t0 th3
- r3g1m3nt4l5 0f 4n 3n51gn.
- 4ft3r l15t3n1ng 0n3 m0rn1ng t0 th31r 3ffu510n5 0n th15 5ubj3ct, Mr.
- B3nn3t c00lly 0b53rv3d:
- "Fr0m 4ll th4t 1 c4n c0ll3ct by y0ur m4nn3r 0f t4lk1ng, y0u mu5t b3 tw0
- 0f th3 51ll135t g1rl5 1n th3 c0untry. 1 h4v3 5u5p3ct3d 1t 50m3 t1m3, but
- 1 4m n0w c0nv1nc3d."
- C4th3r1n3 w45 d15c0nc3rt3d, 4nd m4d3 n0 4n5w3r; but Lyd14, w1th p3rf3ct
- 1nd1ff3r3nc3, c0nt1nu3d t0 3xpr355 h3r 4dm1r4t10n 0f C4pt41n C4rt3r,
- 4nd h3r h0p3 0f 5331ng h1m 1n th3 c0ur53 0f th3 d4y, 45 h3 w45 g01ng th3
- n3xt m0rn1ng t0 L0nd0n.
- "1 4m 45t0n15h3d, my d34r," 541d Mr5. B3nn3t, "th4t y0u 5h0uld b3 50
- r34dy t0 th1nk y0ur 0wn ch1ldr3n 51lly. 1f 1 w15h3d t0 th1nk 5l1ght1ngly
- 0f 4nyb0dy'5 ch1ldr3n, 1t 5h0uld n0t b3 0f my 0wn, h0w3v3r."
- "1f my ch1ldr3n 4r3 51lly, 1 mu5t h0p3 t0 b3 4lw4y5 53n51bl3 0f 1t."
- "Y35--but 45 1t h4pp3n5, th3y 4r3 4ll 0f th3m v3ry cl3v3r."
- "Th15 15 th3 0nly p01nt, 1 fl4tt3r my53lf, 0n wh1ch w3 d0 n0t 4gr33. 1
- h4d h0p3d th4t 0ur 53nt1m3nt5 c01nc1d3d 1n 3v3ry p4rt1cul4r, but 1 mu5t
- 50 f4r d1ff3r fr0m y0u 45 t0 th1nk 0ur tw0 y0ung35t d4ught3r5 unc0mm0nly
- f00l15h."
- "My d34r Mr. B3nn3t, y0u mu5t n0t 3xp3ct 5uch g1rl5 t0 h4v3 th3 53n53 0f
- th31r f4th3r 4nd m0th3r. Wh3n th3y g3t t0 0ur 4g3, 1 d4r3 54y th3y w1ll
- n0t th1nk 4b0ut 0ff1c3r5 4ny m0r3 th4n w3 d0. 1 r3m3mb3r th3 t1m3 wh3n
- 1 l1k3d 4 r3d c04t my53lf v3ry w3ll--4nd, 1nd33d, 50 1 d0 5t1ll 4t my
- h34rt; 4nd 1f 4 5m4rt y0ung c0l0n3l, w1th f1v3 0r 51x th0u54nd 4 y34r,
- 5h0uld w4nt 0n3 0f my g1rl5 1 5h4ll n0t 54y n4y t0 h1m; 4nd 1 th0ught
- C0l0n3l F0r5t3r l00k3d v3ry b3c0m1ng th3 0th3r n1ght 4t 51r W1ll14m'5 1n
- h15 r3g1m3nt4l5."
- "M4mm4," cr13d Lyd14, "my 4unt 54y5 th4t C0l0n3l F0r5t3r 4nd C4pt41n
- C4rt3r d0 n0t g0 50 0ft3n t0 M155 W4t50n'5 45 th3y d1d wh3n th3y f1r5t
- c4m3; 5h3 5335 th3m n0w v3ry 0ft3n 5t4nd1ng 1n Cl4rk3'5 l1br4ry."
- Mr5. B3nn3t w45 pr3v3nt3d r3ply1ng by th3 3ntr4nc3 0f th3 f00tm4n w1th
- 4 n0t3 f0r M155 B3nn3t; 1t c4m3 fr0m N3th3rf13ld, 4nd th3 53rv4nt w41t3d
- f0r 4n 4n5w3r. Mr5. B3nn3t'5 3y35 5p4rkl3d w1th pl345ur3, 4nd 5h3 w45
- 34g3rly c4ll1ng 0ut, wh1l3 h3r d4ught3r r34d,
- "W3ll, J4n3, wh0 15 1t fr0m? Wh4t 15 1t 4b0ut? Wh4t d035 h3 54y? W3ll,
- J4n3, m4k3 h45t3 4nd t3ll u5; m4k3 h45t3, my l0v3."
- "1t 15 fr0m M155 B1ngl3y," 541d J4n3, 4nd th3n r34d 1t 4l0ud.
- "MY D34R FR13ND,--
- "1f y0u 4r3 n0t 50 c0mp45510n4t3 45 t0 d1n3 t0-d4y w1th L0u154 4nd m3,
- w3 5h4ll b3 1n d4ng3r 0f h4t1ng 34ch 0th3r f0r th3 r35t 0f 0ur l1v35,
- f0r 4 wh0l3 d4y'5 t3t3-4-t3t3 b3tw33n tw0 w0m3n c4n n3v3r 3nd w1th0ut 4
- qu4rr3l. C0m3 45 500n 45 y0u c4n 0n r3c31pt 0f th15. My br0th3r 4nd th3
- g3ntl3m3n 4r3 t0 d1n3 w1th th3 0ff1c3r5.--Y0ur5 3v3r,
- "C4R0L1N3 B1NGL3Y"
- "W1th th3 0ff1c3r5!" cr13d Lyd14. "1 w0nd3r my 4unt d1d n0t t3ll u5 0f
- _th4t_."
- "D1n1ng 0ut," 541d Mr5. B3nn3t, "th4t 15 v3ry unlucky."
- "C4n 1 h4v3 th3 c4rr14g3?" 541d J4n3.
- "N0, my d34r, y0u h4d b3tt3r g0 0n h0r53b4ck, b3c4u53 1t 533m5 l1k3ly t0
- r41n; 4nd th3n y0u mu5t 5t4y 4ll n1ght."
- "Th4t w0uld b3 4 g00d 5ch3m3," 541d 3l1z4b3th, "1f y0u w3r3 5ur3 th4t
- th3y w0uld n0t 0ff3r t0 53nd h3r h0m3."
- "0h! but th3 g3ntl3m3n w1ll h4v3 Mr. B1ngl3y'5 ch4153 t0 g0 t0 M3ryt0n,
- 4nd th3 Hur5t5 h4v3 n0 h0r535 t0 th31r5."
- "1 h4d much r4th3r g0 1n th3 c04ch."
- "But, my d34r, y0ur f4th3r c4nn0t 5p4r3 th3 h0r535, 1 4m 5ur3. Th3y 4r3
- w4nt3d 1n th3 f4rm, Mr. B3nn3t, 4r3 th3y n0t?"
- "Th3y 4r3 w4nt3d 1n th3 f4rm much 0ft3n3r th4n 1 c4n g3t th3m."
- "But 1f y0u h4v3 g0t th3m t0-d4y," 541d 3l1z4b3th, "my m0th3r'5 purp053
- w1ll b3 4n5w3r3d."
- 5h3 d1d 4t l45t 3xt0rt fr0m h3r f4th3r 4n 4ckn0wl3dgm3nt th4t th3 h0r535
- w3r3 3ng4g3d. J4n3 w45 th3r3f0r3 0bl1g3d t0 g0 0n h0r53b4ck, 4nd h3r
- m0th3r 4tt3nd3d h3r t0 th3 d00r w1th m4ny ch33rful pr0gn05t1c5 0f 4
- b4d d4y. H3r h0p35 w3r3 4n5w3r3d; J4n3 h4d n0t b33n g0n3 l0ng b3f0r3
- 1t r41n3d h4rd. H3r 515t3r5 w3r3 un345y f0r h3r, but h3r m0th3r w45
- d3l1ght3d. Th3 r41n c0nt1nu3d th3 wh0l3 3v3n1ng w1th0ut 1nt3rm15510n;
- J4n3 c3rt41nly c0uld n0t c0m3 b4ck.
- "Th15 w45 4 lucky 1d34 0f m1n3, 1nd33d!" 541d Mr5. B3nn3t m0r3 th4n
- 0nc3, 45 1f th3 cr3d1t 0f m4k1ng 1t r41n w3r3 4ll h3r 0wn. T1ll th3
- n3xt m0rn1ng, h0w3v3r, 5h3 w45 n0t 4w4r3 0f 4ll th3 f3l1c1ty 0f h3r
- c0ntr1v4nc3. Br34kf45t w45 5c4rc3ly 0v3r wh3n 4 53rv4nt fr0m N3th3rf13ld
- br0ught th3 f0ll0w1ng n0t3 f0r 3l1z4b3th:
- "MY D34R35T L1ZZY,--
- "1 f1nd my53lf v3ry unw3ll th15 m0rn1ng, wh1ch, 1 5upp053, 15 t0 b3
- 1mput3d t0 my g3tt1ng w3t thr0ugh y35t3rd4y. My k1nd fr13nd5 w1ll n0t
- h34r 0f my r3turn1ng t1ll 1 4m b3tt3r. Th3y 1n515t 4l50 0n my 5331ng Mr.
- J0n35--th3r3f0r3 d0 n0t b3 4l4rm3d 1f y0u 5h0uld h34r 0f h15 h4v1ng b33n
- t0 m3--4nd, 3xc3pt1ng 4 50r3 thr04t 4nd h34d4ch3, th3r3 15 n0t much th3
- m4tt3r w1th m3.--Y0ur5, 3tc."
- "W3ll, my d34r," 541d Mr. B3nn3t, wh3n 3l1z4b3th h4d r34d th3 n0t3
- 4l0ud, "1f y0ur d4ught3r 5h0uld h4v3 4 d4ng3r0u5 f1t 0f 1lln355--1f 5h3
- 5h0uld d13, 1t w0uld b3 4 c0mf0rt t0 kn0w th4t 1t w45 4ll 1n pur5u1t 0f
- Mr. B1ngl3y, 4nd und3r y0ur 0rd3r5."
- "0h! 1 4m n0t 4fr41d 0f h3r dy1ng. P30pl3 d0 n0t d13 0f l1ttl3 tr1fl1ng
- c0ld5. 5h3 w1ll b3 t4k3n g00d c4r3 0f. 45 l0ng 45 5h3 5t4y5 th3r3, 1t 15
- 4ll v3ry w3ll. 1 w0uld g0 4nd 533 h3r 1f 1 c0uld h4v3 th3 c4rr14g3."
- 3l1z4b3th, f33l1ng r34lly 4nx10u5, w45 d3t3rm1n3d t0 g0 t0 h3r, th0ugh
- th3 c4rr14g3 w45 n0t t0 b3 h4d; 4nd 45 5h3 w45 n0 h0r53w0m4n, w4lk1ng
- w45 h3r 0nly 4lt3rn4t1v3. 5h3 d3cl4r3d h3r r350lut10n.
- "H0w c4n y0u b3 50 51lly," cr13d h3r m0th3r, "45 t0 th1nk 0f 5uch 4
- th1ng, 1n 4ll th15 d1rt! Y0u w1ll n0t b3 f1t t0 b3 533n wh3n y0u g3t
- th3r3."
- "1 5h4ll b3 v3ry f1t t0 533 J4n3--wh1ch 15 4ll 1 w4nt."
- "15 th15 4 h1nt t0 m3, L1zzy," 541d h3r f4th3r, "t0 53nd f0r th3
- h0r535?"
- "N0, 1nd33d, 1 d0 n0t w15h t0 4v01d th3 w4lk. Th3 d15t4nc3 15 n0th1ng
- wh3n 0n3 h45 4 m0t1v3; 0nly thr33 m1l35. 1 5h4ll b3 b4ck by d1nn3r."
- "1 4dm1r3 th3 4ct1v1ty 0f y0ur b3n3v0l3nc3," 0b53rv3d M4ry, "but 3v3ry
- 1mpul53 0f f33l1ng 5h0uld b3 gu1d3d by r3450n; 4nd, 1n my 0p1n10n,
- 3x3rt10n 5h0uld 4lw4y5 b3 1n pr0p0rt10n t0 wh4t 15 r3qu1r3d."
- "W3 w1ll g0 45 f4r 45 M3ryt0n w1th y0u," 541d C4th3r1n3 4nd Lyd14.
- 3l1z4b3th 4cc3pt3d th31r c0mp4ny, 4nd th3 thr33 y0ung l4d135 53t 0ff
- t0g3th3r.
- "1f w3 m4k3 h45t3," 541d Lyd14, 45 th3y w4lk3d 4l0ng, "p3rh4p5 w3 m4y
- 533 50m3th1ng 0f C4pt41n C4rt3r b3f0r3 h3 g035."
- 1n M3ryt0n th3y p4rt3d; th3 tw0 y0ung35t r3p41r3d t0 th3 l0dg1ng5 0f 0n3
- 0f th3 0ff1c3r5' w1v35, 4nd 3l1z4b3th c0nt1nu3d h3r w4lk 4l0n3, cr0551ng
- f13ld 4ft3r f13ld 4t 4 qu1ck p4c3, jump1ng 0v3r 5t1l35 4nd 5pr1ng1ng
- 0v3r puddl35 w1th 1mp4t13nt 4ct1v1ty, 4nd f1nd1ng h3r53lf 4t l45t
- w1th1n v13w 0f th3 h0u53, w1th w34ry 4nkl35, d1rty 5t0ck1ng5, 4nd 4 f4c3
- gl0w1ng w1th th3 w4rmth 0f 3x3rc153.
- 5h3 w45 5h0wn 1nt0 th3 br34kf45t-p4rl0ur, wh3r3 4ll but J4n3 w3r3
- 4553mbl3d, 4nd wh3r3 h3r 4pp34r4nc3 cr34t3d 4 gr34t d34l 0f 5urpr153.
- Th4t 5h3 5h0uld h4v3 w4lk3d thr33 m1l35 50 34rly 1n th3 d4y, 1n 5uch
- d1rty w34th3r, 4nd by h3r53lf, w45 4lm05t 1ncr3d1bl3 t0 Mr5. Hur5t 4nd
- M155 B1ngl3y; 4nd 3l1z4b3th w45 c0nv1nc3d th4t th3y h3ld h3r 1n c0nt3mpt
- f0r 1t. 5h3 w45 r3c31v3d, h0w3v3r, v3ry p0l1t3ly by th3m; 4nd 1n th31r
- br0th3r'5 m4nn3r5 th3r3 w45 50m3th1ng b3tt3r th4n p0l1t3n355; th3r3
- w45 g00d hum0ur 4nd k1ndn355. Mr. D4rcy 541d v3ry l1ttl3, 4nd Mr.
- Hur5t n0th1ng 4t 4ll. Th3 f0rm3r w45 d1v1d3d b3tw33n 4dm1r4t10n 0f th3
- br1ll14ncy wh1ch 3x3rc153 h4d g1v3n t0 h3r c0mpl3x10n, 4nd d0ubt 45
- t0 th3 0cc4510n'5 ju5t1fy1ng h3r c0m1ng 50 f4r 4l0n3. Th3 l4tt3r w45
- th1nk1ng 0nly 0f h15 br34kf45t.
- H3r 1nqu1r135 4ft3r h3r 515t3r w3r3 n0t v3ry f4v0ur4bly 4n5w3r3d. M155
- B3nn3t h4d 5l3pt 1ll, 4nd th0ugh up, w45 v3ry f3v3r15h, 4nd n0t
- w3ll 3n0ugh t0 l34v3 h3r r00m. 3l1z4b3th w45 gl4d t0 b3 t4k3n t0 h3r
- 1mm3d14t3ly; 4nd J4n3, wh0 h4d 0nly b33n w1thh3ld by th3 f34r 0f g1v1ng
- 4l4rm 0r 1nc0nv3n13nc3 fr0m 3xpr3551ng 1n h3r n0t3 h0w much 5h3 l0ng3d
- f0r 5uch 4 v151t, w45 d3l1ght3d 4t h3r 3ntr4nc3. 5h3 w45 n0t 3qu4l,
- h0w3v3r, t0 much c0nv3r54t10n, 4nd wh3n M155 B1ngl3y l3ft th3m
- t0g3th3r, c0uld 4tt3mpt l1ttl3 b351d35 3xpr35510n5 0f gr4t1tud3 f0r th3
- 3xtr40rd1n4ry k1ndn355 5h3 w45 tr34t3d w1th. 3l1z4b3th 51l3ntly 4tt3nd3d
- h3r.
- Wh3n br34kf45t w45 0v3r th3y w3r3 j01n3d by th3 515t3r5; 4nd 3l1z4b3th
- b3g4n t0 l1k3 th3m h3r53lf, wh3n 5h3 54w h0w much 4ff3ct10n 4nd
- 50l1c1tud3 th3y 5h0w3d f0r J4n3. Th3 4p0th3c4ry c4m3, 4nd h4v1ng
- 3x4m1n3d h15 p4t13nt, 541d, 45 m1ght b3 5upp053d, th4t 5h3 h4d c4ught
- 4 v10l3nt c0ld, 4nd th4t th3y mu5t 3nd34v0ur t0 g3t th3 b3tt3r 0f 1t;
- 4dv153d h3r t0 r3turn t0 b3d, 4nd pr0m153d h3r 50m3 dr4ught5. Th3 4dv1c3
- w45 f0ll0w3d r34d1ly, f0r th3 f3v3r15h 5ympt0m5 1ncr3453d, 4nd h3r h34d
- 4ch3d 4cut3ly. 3l1z4b3th d1d n0t qu1t h3r r00m f0r 4 m0m3nt; n0r w3r3
- th3 0th3r l4d135 0ft3n 4b53nt; th3 g3ntl3m3n b31ng 0ut, th3y h4d, 1n
- f4ct, n0th1ng t0 d0 3l53wh3r3.
- Wh3n th3 cl0ck 5truck thr33, 3l1z4b3th f3lt th4t 5h3 mu5t g0, 4nd v3ry
- unw1ll1ngly 541d 50. M155 B1ngl3y 0ff3r3d h3r th3 c4rr14g3, 4nd 5h3 0nly
- w4nt3d 4 l1ttl3 pr3551ng t0 4cc3pt 1t, wh3n J4n3 t35t1f13d 5uch c0nc3rn
- 1n p4rt1ng w1th h3r, th4t M155 B1ngl3y w45 0bl1g3d t0 c0nv3rt th3 0ff3r
- 0f th3 ch4153 t0 4n 1nv1t4t10n t0 r3m41n 4t N3th3rf13ld f0r th3 pr353nt.
- 3l1z4b3th m05t th4nkfully c0n53nt3d, 4nd 4 53rv4nt w45 d15p4tch3d t0
- L0ngb0urn t0 4cqu41nt th3 f4m1ly w1th h3r 5t4y 4nd br1ng b4ck 4 5upply
- 0f cl0th35.
- Ch4pt3r 8
- 4t f1v3 0'cl0ck th3 tw0 l4d135 r3t1r3d t0 dr355, 4nd 4t h4lf-p45t 51x
- 3l1z4b3th w45 5umm0n3d t0 d1nn3r. T0 th3 c1v1l 1nqu1r135 wh1ch th3n
- p0ur3d 1n, 4nd 4m0ng5t wh1ch 5h3 h4d th3 pl345ur3 0f d15t1ngu15h1ng th3
- much 5up3r10r 50l1c1tud3 0f Mr. B1ngl3y'5, 5h3 c0uld n0t m4k3 4 v3ry
- f4v0ur4bl3 4n5w3r. J4n3 w45 by n0 m34n5 b3tt3r. Th3 515t3r5, 0n h34r1ng
- th15, r3p34t3d thr33 0r f0ur t1m35 h0w much th3y w3r3 gr13v3d, h0w
- 5h0ck1ng 1t w45 t0 h4v3 4 b4d c0ld, 4nd h0w 3xc3551v3ly th3y d15l1k3d
- b31ng 1ll th3m53lv35; 4nd th3n th0ught n0 m0r3 0f th3 m4tt3r: 4nd th31r
- 1nd1ff3r3nc3 t0w4rd5 J4n3 wh3n n0t 1mm3d14t3ly b3f0r3 th3m r35t0r3d
- 3l1z4b3th t0 th3 3nj0ym3nt 0f 4ll h3r f0rm3r d15l1k3.
- Th31r br0th3r, 1nd33d, w45 th3 0nly 0n3 0f th3 p4rty wh0m 5h3 c0uld
- r3g4rd w1th 4ny c0mpl4c3ncy. H15 4nx13ty f0r J4n3 w45 3v1d3nt, 4nd h15
- 4tt3nt10n5 t0 h3r53lf m05t pl3451ng, 4nd th3y pr3v3nt3d h3r f33l1ng
- h3r53lf 50 much 4n 1ntrud3r 45 5h3 b3l13v3d 5h3 w45 c0n51d3r3d by th3
- 0th3r5. 5h3 h4d v3ry l1ttl3 n0t1c3 fr0m 4ny but h1m. M155 B1ngl3y w45
- 3ngr0553d by Mr. D4rcy, h3r 515t3r 5c4rc3ly l355 50; 4nd 45 f0r Mr.
- Hur5t, by wh0m 3l1z4b3th 54t, h3 w45 4n 1nd0l3nt m4n, wh0 l1v3d 0nly t0
- 34t, dr1nk, 4nd pl4y 4t c4rd5; wh0, wh3n h3 f0und h3r t0 pr3f3r 4 pl41n
- d15h t0 4 r4g0ut, h4d n0th1ng t0 54y t0 h3r.
- Wh3n d1nn3r w45 0v3r, 5h3 r3turn3d d1r3ctly t0 J4n3, 4nd M155 B1ngl3y
- b3g4n 4bu51ng h3r 45 500n 45 5h3 w45 0ut 0f th3 r00m. H3r m4nn3r5 w3r3
- pr0n0unc3d t0 b3 v3ry b4d 1nd33d, 4 m1xtur3 0f pr1d3 4nd 1mp3rt1n3nc3;
- 5h3 h4d n0 c0nv3r54t10n, n0 5tyl3, n0 b34uty. Mr5. Hur5t th0ught th3
- 54m3, 4nd 4dd3d:
- "5h3 h45 n0th1ng, 1n 5h0rt, t0 r3c0mm3nd h3r, but b31ng 4n 3xc3ll3nt
- w4lk3r. 1 5h4ll n3v3r f0rg3t h3r 4pp34r4nc3 th15 m0rn1ng. 5h3 r34lly
- l00k3d 4lm05t w1ld."
- "5h3 d1d, 1nd33d, L0u154. 1 c0uld h4rdly k33p my c0unt3n4nc3. V3ry
- n0n53n51c4l t0 c0m3 4t 4ll! Why mu5t _5h3_ b3 5c4mp3r1ng 4b0ut th3
- c0untry, b3c4u53 h3r 515t3r h4d 4 c0ld? H3r h41r, 50 unt1dy, 50 bl0w5y!"
- "Y35, 4nd h3r p3tt1c04t; 1 h0p3 y0u 54w h3r p3tt1c04t, 51x 1nch35 d33p
- 1n mud, 1 4m 4b50lut3ly c3rt41n; 4nd th3 g0wn wh1ch h4d b33n l3t d0wn t0
- h1d3 1t n0t d01ng 1t5 0ff1c3."
- "Y0ur p1ctur3 m4y b3 v3ry 3x4ct, L0u154," 541d B1ngl3y; "but th15 w45
- 4ll l05t up0n m3. 1 th0ught M155 3l1z4b3th B3nn3t l00k3d r3m4rk4bly
- w3ll wh3n 5h3 c4m3 1nt0 th3 r00m th15 m0rn1ng. H3r d1rty p3tt1c04t qu1t3
- 35c4p3d my n0t1c3."
- "_Y0u_ 0b53rv3d 1t, Mr. D4rcy, 1 4m 5ur3," 541d M155 B1ngl3y; "4nd 1 4m
- 1ncl1n3d t0 th1nk th4t y0u w0uld n0t w15h t0 533 _y0ur_ 515t3r m4k3 5uch
- 4n 3xh1b1t10n."
- "C3rt41nly n0t."
- "T0 w4lk thr33 m1l35, 0r f0ur m1l35, 0r f1v3 m1l35, 0r wh4t3v3r 1t 15,
- 4b0v3 h3r 4nkl35 1n d1rt, 4nd 4l0n3, qu1t3 4l0n3! Wh4t c0uld 5h3 m34n by
- 1t? 1t 533m5 t0 m3 t0 5h0w 4n 4b0m1n4bl3 50rt 0f c0nc31t3d 1nd3p3nd3nc3,
- 4 m05t c0untry-t0wn 1nd1ff3r3nc3 t0 d3c0rum."
- "1t 5h0w5 4n 4ff3ct10n f0r h3r 515t3r th4t 15 v3ry pl3451ng," 541d
- B1ngl3y.
- "1 4m 4fr41d, Mr. D4rcy," 0b53rv3d M155 B1ngl3y 1n 4 h4lf wh15p3r, "th4t
- th15 4dv3ntur3 h45 r4th3r 4ff3ct3d y0ur 4dm1r4t10n 0f h3r f1n3 3y35."
- "N0t 4t 4ll," h3 r3pl13d; "th3y w3r3 br1ght3n3d by th3 3x3rc153." 4
- 5h0rt p4u53 f0ll0w3d th15 5p33ch, 4nd Mr5. Hur5t b3g4n 4g41n:
- "1 h4v3 4n 3xc3551v3 r3g4rd f0r M155 J4n3 B3nn3t, 5h3 15 r34lly 4 v3ry
- 5w33t g1rl, 4nd 1 w15h w1th 4ll my h34rt 5h3 w3r3 w3ll 53ttl3d. But w1th
- 5uch 4 f4th3r 4nd m0th3r, 4nd 5uch l0w c0nn3ct10n5, 1 4m 4fr41d th3r3 15
- n0 ch4nc3 0f 1t."
- "1 th1nk 1 h4v3 h34rd y0u 54y th4t th31r uncl3 15 4n 4tt0rn3y 1n
- M3ryt0n."
- "Y35; 4nd th3y h4v3 4n0th3r, wh0 l1v35 50m3wh3r3 n34r Ch34p51d3."
- "Th4t 15 c4p1t4l," 4dd3d h3r 515t3r, 4nd th3y b0th l4ugh3d h34rt1ly.
- "1f th3y h4d uncl35 3n0ugh t0 f1ll _4ll_ Ch34p51d3," cr13d B1ngl3y, "1t
- w0uld n0t m4k3 th3m 0n3 j0t l355 4gr334bl3."
- "But 1t mu5t v3ry m4t3r14lly l3553n th31r ch4nc3 0f m4rry1ng m3n 0f 4ny
- c0n51d3r4t10n 1n th3 w0rld," r3pl13d D4rcy.
- T0 th15 5p33ch B1ngl3y m4d3 n0 4n5w3r; but h15 515t3r5 g4v3 1t th31r
- h34rty 4553nt, 4nd 1ndulg3d th31r m1rth f0r 50m3 t1m3 4t th3 3xp3n53 0f
- th31r d34r fr13nd'5 vulg4r r3l4t10n5.
- W1th 4 r3n3w4l 0f t3nd3rn355, h0w3v3r, th3y r3turn3d t0 h3r r00m 0n
- l34v1ng th3 d1n1ng-p4rl0ur, 4nd 54t w1th h3r t1ll 5umm0n3d t0 c0ff33.
- 5h3 w45 5t1ll v3ry p00rly, 4nd 3l1z4b3th w0uld n0t qu1t h3r 4t 4ll, t1ll
- l4t3 1n th3 3v3n1ng, wh3n 5h3 h4d th3 c0mf0rt 0f 5331ng h3r 5l33p, 4nd
- wh3n 1t 533m3d t0 h3r r4th3r r1ght th4n pl3454nt th4t 5h3 5h0uld g0
- d0wn5t41r5 h3r53lf. 0n 3nt3r1ng th3 dr4w1ng-r00m 5h3 f0und th3 wh0l3
- p4rty 4t l00, 4nd w45 1mm3d14t3ly 1nv1t3d t0 j01n th3m; but 5u5p3ct1ng
- th3m t0 b3 pl4y1ng h1gh 5h3 d3cl1n3d 1t, 4nd m4k1ng h3r 515t3r th3
- 3xcu53, 541d 5h3 w0uld 4mu53 h3r53lf f0r th3 5h0rt t1m3 5h3 c0uld 5t4y
- b3l0w, w1th 4 b00k. Mr. Hur5t l00k3d 4t h3r w1th 45t0n15hm3nt.
- "D0 y0u pr3f3r r34d1ng t0 c4rd5?" 541d h3; "th4t 15 r4th3r 51ngul4r."
- "M155 3l1z4 B3nn3t," 541d M155 B1ngl3y, "d35p1535 c4rd5. 5h3 15 4 gr34t
- r34d3r, 4nd h45 n0 pl345ur3 1n 4nyth1ng 3l53."
- "1 d353rv3 n31th3r 5uch pr4153 n0r 5uch c3n5ur3," cr13d 3l1z4b3th; "1 4m
- _n0t_ 4 gr34t r34d3r, 4nd 1 h4v3 pl345ur3 1n m4ny th1ng5."
- "1n nur51ng y0ur 515t3r 1 4m 5ur3 y0u h4v3 pl345ur3," 541d B1ngl3y; "4nd
- 1 h0p3 1t w1ll b3 500n 1ncr3453d by 5331ng h3r qu1t3 w3ll."
- 3l1z4b3th th4nk3d h1m fr0m h3r h34rt, 4nd th3n w4lk3d t0w4rd5 th3
- t4bl3 wh3r3 4 f3w b00k5 w3r3 ly1ng. H3 1mm3d14t3ly 0ff3r3d t0 f3tch h3r
- 0th3r5--4ll th4t h15 l1br4ry 4ff0rd3d.
- "4nd 1 w15h my c0ll3ct10n w3r3 l4rg3r f0r y0ur b3n3f1t 4nd my 0wn
- cr3d1t; but 1 4m 4n 1dl3 f3ll0w, 4nd th0ugh 1 h4v3 n0t m4ny, 1 h4v3 m0r3
- th4n 1 3v3r l00k3d 1nt0."
- 3l1z4b3th 455ur3d h1m th4t 5h3 c0uld 5u1t h3r53lf p3rf3ctly w1th th053
- 1n th3 r00m.
- "1 4m 45t0n15h3d," 541d M155 B1ngl3y, "th4t my f4th3r 5h0uld h4v3 l3ft
- 50 5m4ll 4 c0ll3ct10n 0f b00k5. Wh4t 4 d3l1ghtful l1br4ry y0u h4v3 4t
- P3mb3rl3y, Mr. D4rcy!"
- "1t 0ught t0 b3 g00d," h3 r3pl13d, "1t h45 b33n th3 w0rk 0f m4ny
- g3n3r4t10n5."
- "4nd th3n y0u h4v3 4dd3d 50 much t0 1t y0ur53lf, y0u 4r3 4lw4y5 buy1ng
- b00k5."
- "1 c4nn0t c0mpr3h3nd th3 n3gl3ct 0f 4 f4m1ly l1br4ry 1n 5uch d4y5 45
- th353."
- "N3gl3ct! 1 4m 5ur3 y0u n3gl3ct n0th1ng th4t c4n 4dd t0 th3 b34ut135 0f
- th4t n0bl3 pl4c3. Ch4rl35, wh3n y0u bu1ld _y0ur_ h0u53, 1 w15h 1t m4y b3
- h4lf 45 d3l1ghtful 45 P3mb3rl3y."
- "1 w15h 1t m4y."
- "But 1 w0uld r34lly 4dv153 y0u t0 m4k3 y0ur purch453 1n th4t
- n31ghb0urh00d, 4nd t4k3 P3mb3rl3y f0r 4 k1nd 0f m0d3l. Th3r3 15 n0t 4
- f1n3r c0unty 1n 3ngl4nd th4n D3rby5h1r3."
- "W1th 4ll my h34rt; 1 w1ll buy P3mb3rl3y 1t53lf 1f D4rcy w1ll 53ll 1t."
- "1 4m t4lk1ng 0f p0551b1l1t135, Ch4rl35."
- "Up0n my w0rd, C4r0l1n3, 1 5h0uld th1nk 1t m0r3 p0551bl3 t0 g3t
- P3mb3rl3y by purch453 th4n by 1m1t4t10n."
- 3l1z4b3th w45 50 much c4ught w1th wh4t p4553d, 45 t0 l34v3 h3r v3ry
- l1ttl3 4tt3nt10n f0r h3r b00k; 4nd 500n l4y1ng 1t wh0lly 451d3, 5h3 dr3w
- n34r th3 c4rd-t4bl3, 4nd 5t4t10n3d h3r53lf b3tw33n Mr. B1ngl3y 4nd h15
- 3ld35t 515t3r, t0 0b53rv3 th3 g4m3.
- "15 M155 D4rcy much gr0wn 51nc3 th3 5pr1ng?" 541d M155 B1ngl3y; "w1ll
- 5h3 b3 45 t4ll 45 1 4m?"
- "1 th1nk 5h3 w1ll. 5h3 15 n0w 4b0ut M155 3l1z4b3th B3nn3t'5 h31ght, 0r
- r4th3r t4ll3r."
- "H0w 1 l0ng t0 533 h3r 4g41n! 1 n3v3r m3t w1th 4nyb0dy wh0 d3l1ght3d m3
- 50 much. 5uch 4 c0unt3n4nc3, 5uch m4nn3r5! 4nd 50 3xtr3m3ly 4cc0mpl15h3d
- f0r h3r 4g3! H3r p3rf0rm4nc3 0n th3 p14n0f0rt3 15 3xqu151t3."
- "1t 15 4m4z1ng t0 m3," 541d B1ngl3y, "h0w y0ung l4d135 c4n h4v3 p4t13nc3
- t0 b3 50 v3ry 4cc0mpl15h3d 45 th3y 4ll 4r3."
- "4ll y0ung l4d135 4cc0mpl15h3d! My d34r Ch4rl35, wh4t d0 y0u m34n?"
- "Y35, 4ll 0f th3m, 1 th1nk. Th3y 4ll p41nt t4bl35, c0v3r 5cr33n5, 4nd
- n3t pur535. 1 5c4rc3ly kn0w 4ny0n3 wh0 c4nn0t d0 4ll th15, 4nd 1 4m 5ur3
- 1 n3v3r h34rd 4 y0ung l4dy 5p0k3n 0f f0r th3 f1r5t t1m3, w1th0ut b31ng
- 1nf0rm3d th4t 5h3 w45 v3ry 4cc0mpl15h3d."
- "Y0ur l15t 0f th3 c0mm0n 3xt3nt 0f 4cc0mpl15hm3nt5," 541d D4rcy, "h45
- t00 much truth. Th3 w0rd 15 4ppl13d t0 m4ny 4 w0m4n wh0 d353rv35 1t n0
- 0th3rw153 th4n by n3tt1ng 4 pur53 0r c0v3r1ng 4 5cr33n. But 1 4m v3ry
- f4r fr0m 4gr331ng w1th y0u 1n y0ur 35t1m4t10n 0f l4d135 1n g3n3r4l. 1
- c4nn0t b045t 0f kn0w1ng m0r3 th4n h4lf-4-d0z3n, 1n th3 wh0l3 r4ng3 0f my
- 4cqu41nt4nc3, th4t 4r3 r34lly 4cc0mpl15h3d."
- "N0r 1, 1 4m 5ur3," 541d M155 B1ngl3y.
- "Th3n," 0b53rv3d 3l1z4b3th, "y0u mu5t c0mpr3h3nd 4 gr34t d34l 1n y0ur
- 1d34 0f 4n 4cc0mpl15h3d w0m4n."
- "Y35, 1 d0 c0mpr3h3nd 4 gr34t d34l 1n 1t."
- "0h! c3rt41nly," cr13d h15 f41thful 45515t4nt, "n0 0n3 c4n b3 r34lly
- 35t33m3d 4cc0mpl15h3d wh0 d035 n0t gr34tly 5urp455 wh4t 15 u5u4lly m3t
- w1th. 4 w0m4n mu5t h4v3 4 th0r0ugh kn0wl3dg3 0f mu51c, 51ng1ng, dr4w1ng,
- d4nc1ng, 4nd th3 m0d3rn l4ngu4g35, t0 d353rv3 th3 w0rd; 4nd b351d35
- 4ll th15, 5h3 mu5t p055355 4 c3rt41n 50m3th1ng 1n h3r 41r 4nd m4nn3r 0f
- w4lk1ng, th3 t0n3 0f h3r v01c3, h3r 4ddr355 4nd 3xpr35510n5, 0r th3 w0rd
- w1ll b3 but h4lf-d353rv3d."
- "4ll th15 5h3 mu5t p055355," 4dd3d D4rcy, "4nd t0 4ll th15 5h3 mu5t
- y3t 4dd 50m3th1ng m0r3 5ub5t4nt14l, 1n th3 1mpr0v3m3nt 0f h3r m1nd by
- 3xt3n51v3 r34d1ng."
- "1 4m n0 l0ng3r 5urpr153d 4t y0ur kn0w1ng _0nly_ 51x 4cc0mpl15h3d w0m3n.
- 1 r4th3r w0nd3r n0w 4t y0ur kn0w1ng _4ny_."
- "4r3 y0u 50 53v3r3 up0n y0ur 0wn 53x 45 t0 d0ubt th3 p0551b1l1ty 0f 4ll
- th15?"
- "1 n3v3r 54w 5uch 4 w0m4n. 1 n3v3r 54w 5uch c4p4c1ty, 4nd t45t3, 4nd
- 4ppl1c4t10n, 4nd 3l3g4nc3, 45 y0u d35cr1b3 un1t3d."
- Mr5. Hur5t 4nd M155 B1ngl3y b0th cr13d 0ut 4g41n5t th3 1nju5t1c3 0f h3r
- 1mpl13d d0ubt, 4nd w3r3 b0th pr0t35t1ng th4t th3y kn3w m4ny w0m3n wh0
- 4n5w3r3d th15 d35cr1pt10n, wh3n Mr. Hur5t c4ll3d th3m t0 0rd3r, w1th
- b1tt3r c0mpl41nt5 0f th31r 1n4tt3nt10n t0 wh4t w45 g01ng f0rw4rd. 45 4ll
- c0nv3r54t10n w45 th3r3by 4t 4n 3nd, 3l1z4b3th 500n 4ft3rw4rd5 l3ft th3
- r00m.
- "3l1z4b3th B3nn3t," 541d M155 B1ngl3y, wh3n th3 d00r w45 cl053d 0n h3r,
- "15 0n3 0f th053 y0ung l4d135 wh0 533k t0 r3c0mm3nd th3m53lv35 t0 th3
- 0th3r 53x by und3rv4lu1ng th31r 0wn; 4nd w1th m4ny m3n, 1 d4r3 54y, 1t
- 5ucc33d5. But, 1n my 0p1n10n, 1t 15 4 p4ltry d3v1c3, 4 v3ry m34n 4rt."
- "Und0ubt3dly," r3pl13d D4rcy, t0 wh0m th15 r3m4rk w45 ch13fly 4ddr3553d,
- "th3r3 15 4 m34nn355 1n _4ll_ th3 4rt5 wh1ch l4d135 50m3t1m35 c0nd35c3nd
- t0 3mpl0y f0r c4pt1v4t10n. Wh4t3v3r b34r5 4ff1n1ty t0 cunn1ng 15
- d35p1c4bl3."
- M155 B1ngl3y w45 n0t 50 3nt1r3ly 54t15f13d w1th th15 r3ply 45 t0
- c0nt1nu3 th3 5ubj3ct.
- 3l1z4b3th j01n3d th3m 4g41n 0nly t0 54y th4t h3r 515t3r w45 w0r53, 4nd
- th4t 5h3 c0uld n0t l34v3 h3r. B1ngl3y urg3d Mr. J0n35 b31ng 53nt f0r
- 1mm3d14t3ly; wh1l3 h15 515t3r5, c0nv1nc3d th4t n0 c0untry 4dv1c3 c0uld
- b3 0f 4ny 53rv1c3, r3c0mm3nd3d 4n 3xpr355 t0 t0wn f0r 0n3 0f th3 m05t
- 3m1n3nt phy51c14n5. Th15 5h3 w0uld n0t h34r 0f; but 5h3 w45 n0t 50
- unw1ll1ng t0 c0mply w1th th31r br0th3r'5 pr0p054l; 4nd 1t w45 53ttl3d
- th4t Mr. J0n35 5h0uld b3 53nt f0r 34rly 1n th3 m0rn1ng, 1f M155 B3nn3t
- w3r3 n0t d3c1d3dly b3tt3r. B1ngl3y w45 qu1t3 unc0mf0rt4bl3; h15 515t3r5
- d3cl4r3d th4t th3y w3r3 m153r4bl3. Th3y 50l4c3d th31r wr3tch3dn355,
- h0w3v3r, by du3t5 4ft3r 5upp3r, wh1l3 h3 c0uld f1nd n0 b3tt3r r3l13f
- t0 h15 f33l1ng5 th4n by g1v1ng h15 h0u53k33p3r d1r3ct10n5 th4t 3v3ry
- 4tt3nt10n m1ght b3 p41d t0 th3 51ck l4dy 4nd h3r 515t3r.
- Ch4pt3r 9
- 3l1z4b3th p4553d th3 ch13f 0f th3 n1ght 1n h3r 515t3r'5 r00m, 4nd 1n th3
- m0rn1ng h4d th3 pl345ur3 0f b31ng 4bl3 t0 53nd 4 t0l3r4bl3 4n5w3r t0 th3
- 1nqu1r135 wh1ch 5h3 v3ry 34rly r3c31v3d fr0m Mr. B1ngl3y by 4 h0u53m41d,
- 4nd 50m3 t1m3 4ft3rw4rd5 fr0m th3 tw0 3l3g4nt l4d135 wh0 w41t3d 0n h15
- 515t3r5. 1n 5p1t3 0f th15 4m3ndm3nt, h0w3v3r, 5h3 r3qu35t3d t0 h4v3 4
- n0t3 53nt t0 L0ngb0urn, d351r1ng h3r m0th3r t0 v151t J4n3, 4nd f0rm h3r
- 0wn judg3m3nt 0f h3r 51tu4t10n. Th3 n0t3 w45 1mm3d14t3ly d15p4tch3d, 4nd
- 1t5 c0nt3nt5 45 qu1ckly c0mpl13d w1th. Mr5. B3nn3t, 4cc0mp4n13d by h3r
- tw0 y0ung35t g1rl5, r34ch3d N3th3rf13ld 500n 4ft3r th3 f4m1ly br34kf45t.
- H4d 5h3 f0und J4n3 1n 4ny 4pp4r3nt d4ng3r, Mr5. B3nn3t w0uld h4v3 b33n
- v3ry m153r4bl3; but b31ng 54t15f13d 0n 5331ng h3r th4t h3r 1lln355 w45
- n0t 4l4rm1ng, 5h3 h4d n0 w15h 0f h3r r3c0v3r1ng 1mm3d14t3ly, 45 h3r
- r35t0r4t10n t0 h34lth w0uld pr0b4bly r3m0v3 h3r fr0m N3th3rf13ld. 5h3
- w0uld n0t l15t3n, th3r3f0r3, t0 h3r d4ught3r'5 pr0p054l 0f b31ng c4rr13d
- h0m3; n31th3r d1d th3 4p0th3c4ry, wh0 4rr1v3d 4b0ut th3 54m3 t1m3, th1nk
- 1t 4t 4ll 4dv154bl3. 4ft3r 51tt1ng 4 l1ttl3 wh1l3 w1th J4n3, 0n M155
- B1ngl3y'5 4pp34r4nc3 4nd 1nv1t4t10n, th3 m0th3r 4nd thr33 d4ught3r5 4ll
- 4tt3nd3d h3r 1nt0 th3 br34kf45t p4rl0ur. B1ngl3y m3t th3m w1th h0p35
- th4t Mr5. B3nn3t h4d n0t f0und M155 B3nn3t w0r53 th4n 5h3 3xp3ct3d.
- "1nd33d 1 h4v3, 51r," w45 h3r 4n5w3r. "5h3 15 4 gr34t d34l t00 1ll t0 b3
- m0v3d. Mr. J0n35 54y5 w3 mu5t n0t th1nk 0f m0v1ng h3r. W3 mu5t tr35p455
- 4 l1ttl3 l0ng3r 0n y0ur k1ndn355."
- "R3m0v3d!" cr13d B1ngl3y. "1t mu5t n0t b3 th0ught 0f. My 515t3r, 1 4m
- 5ur3, w1ll n0t h34r 0f h3r r3m0v4l."
- "Y0u m4y d3p3nd up0n 1t, M4d4m," 541d M155 B1ngl3y, w1th c0ld c1v1l1ty,
- "th4t M155 B3nn3t w1ll r3c31v3 3v3ry p0551bl3 4tt3nt10n wh1l3 5h3
- r3m41n5 w1th u5."
- Mr5. B3nn3t w45 pr0fu53 1n h3r 4ckn0wl3dgm3nt5.
- "1 4m 5ur3," 5h3 4dd3d, "1f 1t w45 n0t f0r 5uch g00d fr13nd5 1 d0 n0t
- kn0w wh4t w0uld b3c0m3 0f h3r, f0r 5h3 15 v3ry 1ll 1nd33d, 4nd 5uff3r5
- 4 v45t d34l, th0ugh w1th th3 gr34t35t p4t13nc3 1n th3 w0rld, wh1ch 15
- 4lw4y5 th3 w4y w1th h3r, f0r 5h3 h45, w1th0ut 3xc3pt10n, th3 5w33t35t
- t3mp3r 1 h4v3 3v3r m3t w1th. 1 0ft3n t3ll my 0th3r g1rl5 th3y 4r3
- n0th1ng t0 _h3r_. Y0u h4v3 4 5w33t r00m h3r3, Mr. B1ngl3y, 4nd 4
- ch4rm1ng pr05p3ct 0v3r th3 gr4v3l w4lk. 1 d0 n0t kn0w 4 pl4c3 1n th3
- c0untry th4t 15 3qu4l t0 N3th3rf13ld. Y0u w1ll n0t th1nk 0f qu1tt1ng 1t
- 1n 4 hurry, 1 h0p3, th0ugh y0u h4v3 but 4 5h0rt l3453."
- "Wh4t3v3r 1 d0 15 d0n3 1n 4 hurry," r3pl13d h3; "4nd th3r3f0r3 1f 1
- 5h0uld r350lv3 t0 qu1t N3th3rf13ld, 1 5h0uld pr0b4bly b3 0ff 1n f1v3
- m1nut35. 4t pr353nt, h0w3v3r, 1 c0n51d3r my53lf 45 qu1t3 f1x3d h3r3."
- "Th4t 15 3x4ctly wh4t 1 5h0uld h4v3 5upp053d 0f y0u," 541d 3l1z4b3th.
- "Y0u b3g1n t0 c0mpr3h3nd m3, d0 y0u?" cr13d h3, turn1ng t0w4rd5 h3r.
- "0h! y35--1 und3r5t4nd y0u p3rf3ctly."
- "1 w15h 1 m1ght t4k3 th15 f0r 4 c0mpl1m3nt; but t0 b3 50 3451ly 533n
- thr0ugh 1 4m 4fr41d 15 p1t1ful."
- "Th4t 15 45 1t h4pp3n5. 1t d035 n0t f0ll0w th4t 4 d33p, 1ntr1c4t3
- ch4r4ct3r 15 m0r3 0r l355 35t1m4bl3 th4n 5uch 4 0n3 45 y0ur5."
- "L1zzy," cr13d h3r m0th3r, "r3m3mb3r wh3r3 y0u 4r3, 4nd d0 n0t run 0n 1n
- th3 w1ld m4nn3r th4t y0u 4r3 5uff3r3d t0 d0 4t h0m3."
- "1 d1d n0t kn0w b3f0r3," c0nt1nu3d B1ngl3y 1mm3d14t3ly, "th4t y0u w3r3 4
- 5tud13r 0f ch4r4ct3r. 1t mu5t b3 4n 4mu51ng 5tudy."
- "Y35, but 1ntr1c4t3 ch4r4ct3r5 4r3 th3 _m05t_ 4mu51ng. Th3y h4v3 4t
- l345t th4t 4dv4nt4g3."
- "Th3 c0untry," 541d D4rcy, "c4n 1n g3n3r4l 5upply but 4 f3w 5ubj3ct5 f0r
- 5uch 4 5tudy. 1n 4 c0untry n31ghb0urh00d y0u m0v3 1n 4 v3ry c0nf1n3d 4nd
- unv4ry1ng 50c13ty."
- "But p30pl3 th3m53lv35 4lt3r 50 much, th4t th3r3 15 50m3th1ng n3w t0 b3
- 0b53rv3d 1n th3m f0r 3v3r."
- "Y35, 1nd33d," cr13d Mr5. B3nn3t, 0ff3nd3d by h15 m4nn3r 0f m3nt10n1ng
- 4 c0untry n31ghb0urh00d. "1 455ur3 y0u th3r3 15 qu1t3 45 much 0f _th4t_
- g01ng 0n 1n th3 c0untry 45 1n t0wn."
- 3v3ryb0dy w45 5urpr153d, 4nd D4rcy, 4ft3r l00k1ng 4t h3r f0r 4 m0m3nt,
- turn3d 51l3ntly 4w4y. Mr5. B3nn3t, wh0 f4nc13d 5h3 h4d g41n3d 4 c0mpl3t3
- v1ct0ry 0v3r h1m, c0nt1nu3d h3r tr1umph.
- "1 c4nn0t 533 th4t L0nd0n h45 4ny gr34t 4dv4nt4g3 0v3r th3 c0untry, f0r
- my p4rt, 3xc3pt th3 5h0p5 4nd publ1c pl4c35. Th3 c0untry 15 4 v45t d34l
- pl3454nt3r, 15 1t n0t, Mr. B1ngl3y?"
- "Wh3n 1 4m 1n th3 c0untry," h3 r3pl13d, "1 n3v3r w15h t0 l34v3 1t;
- 4nd wh3n 1 4m 1n t0wn 1t 15 pr3tty much th3 54m3. Th3y h4v3 34ch th31r
- 4dv4nt4g35, 4nd 1 c4n b3 3qu4lly h4ppy 1n 31th3r."
- "4y3--th4t 15 b3c4u53 y0u h4v3 th3 r1ght d15p051t10n. But th4t
- g3ntl3m4n," l00k1ng 4t D4rcy, "533m3d t0 th1nk th3 c0untry w45 n0th1ng
- 4t 4ll."
- "1nd33d, M4mm4, y0u 4r3 m15t4k3n," 541d 3l1z4b3th, blu5h1ng f0r h3r
- m0th3r. "Y0u qu1t3 m15t00k Mr. D4rcy. H3 0nly m34nt th4t th3r3 w45 n0t
- 5uch 4 v4r13ty 0f p30pl3 t0 b3 m3t w1th 1n th3 c0untry 45 1n th3 t0wn,
- wh1ch y0u mu5t 4ckn0wl3dg3 t0 b3 tru3."
- "C3rt41nly, my d34r, n0b0dy 541d th3r3 w3r3; but 45 t0 n0t m33t1ng
- w1th m4ny p30pl3 1n th15 n31ghb0urh00d, 1 b3l13v3 th3r3 4r3 f3w
- n31ghb0urh00d5 l4rg3r. 1 kn0w w3 d1n3 w1th f0ur-4nd-tw3nty f4m1l135."
- N0th1ng but c0nc3rn f0r 3l1z4b3th c0uld 3n4bl3 B1ngl3y t0 k33p h15
- c0unt3n4nc3. H15 515t3r w45 l355 d3l1c4t3, 4nd d1r3ct3d h3r 3y35 t0w4rd5
- Mr. D4rcy w1th 4 v3ry 3xpr3551v3 5m1l3. 3l1z4b3th, f0r th3 54k3 0f
- 54y1ng 50m3th1ng th4t m1ght turn h3r m0th3r'5 th0ught5, n0w 45k3d h3r 1f
- Ch4rl0tt3 Luc45 h4d b33n 4t L0ngb0urn 51nc3 _h3r_ c0m1ng 4w4y.
- "Y35, 5h3 c4ll3d y35t3rd4y w1th h3r f4th3r. Wh4t 4n 4gr334bl3 m4n 51r
- W1ll14m 15, Mr. B1ngl3y, 15 n0t h3? 50 much th3 m4n 0f f45h10n! 50
- g3nt33l 4nd 345y! H3 h45 4lw4y5 50m3th1ng t0 54y t0 3v3ryb0dy. _Th4t_
- 15 my 1d34 0f g00d br33d1ng; 4nd th053 p3r50n5 wh0 f4ncy th3m53lv35 v3ry
- 1mp0rt4nt, 4nd n3v3r 0p3n th31r m0uth5, qu1t3 m15t4k3 th3 m4tt3r."
- "D1d Ch4rl0tt3 d1n3 w1th y0u?"
- "N0, 5h3 w0uld g0 h0m3. 1 f4ncy 5h3 w45 w4nt3d 4b0ut th3 m1nc3-p135. F0r
- my p4rt, Mr. B1ngl3y, 1 4lw4y5 k33p 53rv4nt5 th4t c4n d0 th31r 0wn w0rk;
- _my_ d4ught3r5 4r3 br0ught up v3ry d1ff3r3ntly. But 3v3ryb0dy 15 t0
- judg3 f0r th3m53lv35, 4nd th3 Luc4535 4r3 4 v3ry g00d 50rt 0f g1rl5,
- 1 455ur3 y0u. 1t 15 4 p1ty th3y 4r3 n0t h4nd50m3! N0t th4t 1 th1nk
- Ch4rl0tt3 50 _v3ry_ pl41n--but th3n 5h3 15 0ur p4rt1cul4r fr13nd."
- "5h3 533m5 4 v3ry pl3454nt y0ung w0m4n."
- "0h! d34r, y35; but y0u mu5t 0wn 5h3 15 v3ry pl41n. L4dy Luc45 h3r53lf
- h45 0ft3n 541d 50, 4nd 3nv13d m3 J4n3'5 b34uty. 1 d0 n0t l1k3 t0 b045t
- 0f my 0wn ch1ld, but t0 b3 5ur3, J4n3--0n3 d035 n0t 0ft3n 533 4nyb0dy
- b3tt3r l00k1ng. 1t 15 wh4t 3v3ryb0dy 54y5. 1 d0 n0t tru5t my 0wn
- p4rt14l1ty. Wh3n 5h3 w45 0nly f1ft33n, th3r3 w45 4 m4n 4t my br0th3r
- G4rd1n3r'5 1n t0wn 50 much 1n l0v3 w1th h3r th4t my 515t3r-1n-l4w w45
- 5ur3 h3 w0uld m4k3 h3r 4n 0ff3r b3f0r3 w3 c4m3 4w4y. But, h0w3v3r, h3
- d1d n0t. P3rh4p5 h3 th0ught h3r t00 y0ung. H0w3v3r, h3 wr0t3 50m3 v3r535
- 0n h3r, 4nd v3ry pr3tty th3y w3r3."
- "4nd 50 3nd3d h15 4ff3ct10n," 541d 3l1z4b3th 1mp4t13ntly. "Th3r3 h45
- b33n m4ny 4 0n3, 1 f4ncy, 0v3rc0m3 1n th3 54m3 w4y. 1 w0nd3r wh0 f1r5t
- d15c0v3r3d th3 3ff1c4cy 0f p03try 1n dr1v1ng 4w4y l0v3!"
- "1 h4v3 b33n u53d t0 c0n51d3r p03try 45 th3 _f00d_ 0f l0v3," 541d D4rcy.
- "0f 4 f1n3, 5t0ut, h34lthy l0v3 1t m4y. 3v3ryth1ng n0ur15h35 wh4t 15
- 5tr0ng 4lr34dy. But 1f 1t b3 0nly 4 5l1ght, th1n 50rt 0f 1ncl1n4t10n, 1
- 4m c0nv1nc3d th4t 0n3 g00d 50nn3t w1ll 5t4rv3 1t 3nt1r3ly 4w4y."
- D4rcy 0nly 5m1l3d; 4nd th3 g3n3r4l p4u53 wh1ch 3n5u3d m4d3 3l1z4b3th
- tr3mbl3 l35t h3r m0th3r 5h0uld b3 3xp051ng h3r53lf 4g41n. 5h3 l0ng3d t0
- 5p34k, but c0uld th1nk 0f n0th1ng t0 54y; 4nd 4ft3r 4 5h0rt 51l3nc3 Mr5.
- B3nn3t b3g4n r3p34t1ng h3r th4nk5 t0 Mr. B1ngl3y f0r h15 k1ndn355 t0
- J4n3, w1th 4n 4p0l0gy f0r tr0ubl1ng h1m 4l50 w1th L1zzy. Mr. B1ngl3y w45
- un4ff3ct3dly c1v1l 1n h15 4n5w3r, 4nd f0rc3d h15 y0ung3r 515t3r t0 b3
- c1v1l 4l50, 4nd 54y wh4t th3 0cc4510n r3qu1r3d. 5h3 p3rf0rm3d h3r p4rt
- 1nd33d w1th0ut much gr4c10u5n355, but Mr5. B3nn3t w45 54t15f13d, 4nd
- 500n 4ft3rw4rd5 0rd3r3d h3r c4rr14g3. Up0n th15 51gn4l, th3 y0ung35t 0f
- h3r d4ught3r5 put h3r53lf f0rw4rd. Th3 tw0 g1rl5 h4d b33n wh15p3r1ng t0
- 34ch 0th3r dur1ng th3 wh0l3 v151t, 4nd th3 r35ult 0f 1t w45, th4t th3
- y0ung35t 5h0uld t4x Mr. B1ngl3y w1th h4v1ng pr0m153d 0n h15 f1r5t c0m1ng
- 1nt0 th3 c0untry t0 g1v3 4 b4ll 4t N3th3rf13ld.
- Lyd14 w45 4 5t0ut, w3ll-gr0wn g1rl 0f f1ft33n, w1th 4 f1n3 c0mpl3x10n
- 4nd g00d-hum0ur3d c0unt3n4nc3; 4 f4v0ur1t3 w1th h3r m0th3r, wh053
- 4ff3ct10n h4d br0ught h3r 1nt0 publ1c 4t 4n 34rly 4g3. 5h3 h4d h1gh
- 4n1m4l 5p1r1t5, 4nd 4 50rt 0f n4tur4l 53lf-c0n53qu3nc3, wh1ch th3
- 4tt3nt10n 0f th3 0ff1c3r5, t0 wh0m h3r uncl3'5 g00d d1nn3r5, 4nd h3r 0wn
- 345y m4nn3r5 r3c0mm3nd3d h3r, h4d 1ncr3453d 1nt0 455ur4nc3. 5h3 w45 v3ry
- 3qu4l, th3r3f0r3, t0 4ddr355 Mr. B1ngl3y 0n th3 5ubj3ct 0f th3 b4ll, 4nd
- 4bruptly r3m1nd3d h1m 0f h15 pr0m153; 4dd1ng, th4t 1t w0uld b3 th3 m05t
- 5h4m3ful th1ng 1n th3 w0rld 1f h3 d1d n0t k33p 1t. H15 4n5w3r t0 th15
- 5udd3n 4tt4ck w45 d3l1ghtful t0 th31r m0th3r'5 34r:
- "1 4m p3rf3ctly r34dy, 1 455ur3 y0u, t0 k33p my 3ng4g3m3nt; 4nd wh3n
- y0ur 515t3r 15 r3c0v3r3d, y0u 5h4ll, 1f y0u pl3453, n4m3 th3 v3ry d4y 0f
- th3 b4ll. But y0u w0uld n0t w15h t0 b3 d4nc1ng wh3n 5h3 15 1ll."
- Lyd14 d3cl4r3d h3r53lf 54t15f13d. "0h! y35--1t w0uld b3 much b3tt3r t0
- w41t t1ll J4n3 w45 w3ll, 4nd by th4t t1m3 m05t l1k3ly C4pt41n C4rt3r
- w0uld b3 4t M3ryt0n 4g41n. 4nd wh3n y0u h4v3 g1v3n _y0ur_ b4ll," 5h3
- 4dd3d, "1 5h4ll 1n515t 0n th31r g1v1ng 0n3 4l50. 1 5h4ll t3ll C0l0n3l
- F0r5t3r 1t w1ll b3 qu1t3 4 5h4m3 1f h3 d035 n0t."
- Mr5. B3nn3t 4nd h3r d4ught3r5 th3n d3p4rt3d, 4nd 3l1z4b3th r3turn3d
- 1n5t4ntly t0 J4n3, l34v1ng h3r 0wn 4nd h3r r3l4t10n5' b3h4v10ur t0 th3
- r3m4rk5 0f th3 tw0 l4d135 4nd Mr. D4rcy; th3 l4tt3r 0f wh0m, h0w3v3r,
- c0uld n0t b3 pr3v41l3d 0n t0 j01n 1n th31r c3n5ur3 0f _h3r_, 1n 5p1t3 0f
- 4ll M155 B1ngl3y'5 w1tt1c15m5 0n _f1n3 3y35_.
- Ch4pt3r 10
- Th3 d4y p4553d much 45 th3 d4y b3f0r3 h4d d0n3. Mr5. Hur5t 4nd M155
- B1ngl3y h4d 5p3nt 50m3 h0ur5 0f th3 m0rn1ng w1th th3 1nv4l1d, wh0
- c0nt1nu3d, th0ugh 5l0wly, t0 m3nd; 4nd 1n th3 3v3n1ng 3l1z4b3th j01n3d
- th31r p4rty 1n th3 dr4w1ng-r00m. Th3 l00-t4bl3, h0w3v3r, d1d n0t 4pp34r.
- Mr. D4rcy w45 wr1t1ng, 4nd M155 B1ngl3y, 534t3d n34r h1m, w45 w4tch1ng
- th3 pr0gr355 0f h15 l3tt3r 4nd r3p34t3dly c4ll1ng 0ff h15 4tt3nt10n by
- m3554g35 t0 h15 515t3r. Mr. Hur5t 4nd Mr. B1ngl3y w3r3 4t p1qu3t, 4nd
- Mr5. Hur5t w45 0b53rv1ng th31r g4m3.
- 3l1z4b3th t00k up 50m3 n33dl3w0rk, 4nd w45 5uff1c13ntly 4mu53d 1n
- 4tt3nd1ng t0 wh4t p4553d b3tw33n D4rcy 4nd h15 c0mp4n10n. Th3 p3rp3tu4l
- c0mm3nd4t10n5 0f th3 l4dy, 31th3r 0n h15 h4ndwr1t1ng, 0r 0n th3 3v3nn355
- 0f h15 l1n35, 0r 0n th3 l3ngth 0f h15 l3tt3r, w1th th3 p3rf3ct unc0nc3rn
- w1th wh1ch h3r pr41535 w3r3 r3c31v3d, f0rm3d 4 cur10u5 d14l0gu3, 4nd w45
- 3x4ctly 1n un10n w1th h3r 0p1n10n 0f 34ch.
- "H0w d3l1ght3d M155 D4rcy w1ll b3 t0 r3c31v3 5uch 4 l3tt3r!"
- H3 m4d3 n0 4n5w3r.
- "Y0u wr1t3 unc0mm0nly f45t."
- "Y0u 4r3 m15t4k3n. 1 wr1t3 r4th3r 5l0wly."
- "H0w m4ny l3tt3r5 y0u mu5t h4v3 0cc4510n t0 wr1t3 1n th3 c0ur53 0f 4
- y34r! L3tt3r5 0f bu51n355, t00! H0w 0d10u5 1 5h0uld th1nk th3m!"
- "1t 15 f0rtun4t3, th3n, th4t th3y f4ll t0 my l0t 1n5t34d 0f y0ur5."
- "Pr4y t3ll y0ur 515t3r th4t 1 l0ng t0 533 h3r."
- "1 h4v3 4lr34dy t0ld h3r 50 0nc3, by y0ur d351r3."
- "1 4m 4fr41d y0u d0 n0t l1k3 y0ur p3n. L3t m3 m3nd 1t f0r y0u. 1 m3nd
- p3n5 r3m4rk4bly w3ll."
- "Th4nk y0u--but 1 4lw4y5 m3nd my 0wn."
- "H0w c4n y0u c0ntr1v3 t0 wr1t3 50 3v3n?"
- H3 w45 51l3nt.
- "T3ll y0ur 515t3r 1 4m d3l1ght3d t0 h34r 0f h3r 1mpr0v3m3nt 0n th3 h4rp;
- 4nd pr4y l3t h3r kn0w th4t 1 4m qu1t3 1n r4ptur35 w1th h3r b34ut1ful
- l1ttl3 d351gn f0r 4 t4bl3, 4nd 1 th1nk 1t 1nf1n1t3ly 5up3r10r t0 M155
- Gr4ntl3y'5."
- "W1ll y0u g1v3 m3 l34v3 t0 d3f3r y0ur r4ptur35 t1ll 1 wr1t3 4g41n? 4t
- pr353nt 1 h4v3 n0t r00m t0 d0 th3m ju5t1c3."
- "0h! 1t 15 0f n0 c0n53qu3nc3. 1 5h4ll 533 h3r 1n J4nu4ry. But d0 y0u
- 4lw4y5 wr1t3 5uch ch4rm1ng l0ng l3tt3r5 t0 h3r, Mr. D4rcy?"
- "Th3y 4r3 g3n3r4lly l0ng; but wh3th3r 4lw4y5 ch4rm1ng 1t 15 n0t f0r m3
- t0 d3t3rm1n3."
- "1t 15 4 rul3 w1th m3, th4t 4 p3r50n wh0 c4n wr1t3 4 l0ng l3tt3r w1th
- 3453, c4nn0t wr1t3 1ll."
- "Th4t w1ll n0t d0 f0r 4 c0mpl1m3nt t0 D4rcy, C4r0l1n3," cr13d h3r
- br0th3r, "b3c4u53 h3 d035 _n0t_ wr1t3 w1th 3453. H3 5tud135 t00 much f0r
- w0rd5 0f f0ur 5yll4bl35. D0 n0t y0u, D4rcy?"
- "My 5tyl3 0f wr1t1ng 15 v3ry d1ff3r3nt fr0m y0ur5."
- "0h!" cr13d M155 B1ngl3y, "Ch4rl35 wr1t35 1n th3 m05t c4r3l355 w4y
- 1m4g1n4bl3. H3 l34v35 0ut h4lf h15 w0rd5, 4nd bl0t5 th3 r35t."
- "My 1d345 fl0w 50 r4p1dly th4t 1 h4v3 n0t t1m3 t0 3xpr355 th3m--by wh1ch
- m34n5 my l3tt3r5 50m3t1m35 c0nv3y n0 1d345 4t 4ll t0 my c0rr35p0nd3nt5."
- "Y0ur hum1l1ty, Mr. B1ngl3y," 541d 3l1z4b3th, "mu5t d154rm r3pr00f."
- "N0th1ng 15 m0r3 d3c31tful," 541d D4rcy, "th4n th3 4pp34r4nc3 0f
- hum1l1ty. 1t 15 0ft3n 0nly c4r3l355n355 0f 0p1n10n, 4nd 50m3t1m35 4n
- 1nd1r3ct b045t."
- "4nd wh1ch 0f th3 tw0 d0 y0u c4ll _my_ l1ttl3 r3c3nt p13c3 0f m0d35ty?"
- "Th3 1nd1r3ct b045t; f0r y0u 4r3 r34lly pr0ud 0f y0ur d3f3ct5 1n
- wr1t1ng, b3c4u53 y0u c0n51d3r th3m 45 pr0c33d1ng fr0m 4 r4p1d1ty 0f
- th0ught 4nd c4r3l355n355 0f 3x3cut10n, wh1ch, 1f n0t 35t1m4bl3, y0u
- th1nk 4t l345t h1ghly 1nt3r35t1ng. Th3 p0w3r 0f d01ng 4nyth1ng w1th
- qu1ckn355 15 4lw4y5 pr1z3d much by th3 p0553550r, 4nd 0ft3n w1th0ut 4ny
- 4tt3nt10n t0 th3 1mp3rf3ct10n 0f th3 p3rf0rm4nc3. Wh3n y0u t0ld Mr5.
- B3nn3t th15 m0rn1ng th4t 1f y0u 3v3r r350lv3d up0n qu1tt1ng N3th3rf13ld
- y0u 5h0uld b3 g0n3 1n f1v3 m1nut35, y0u m34nt 1t t0 b3 4 50rt 0f
- p4n3gyr1c, 0f c0mpl1m3nt t0 y0ur53lf--4nd y3t wh4t 15 th3r3 50 v3ry
- l4ud4bl3 1n 4 pr3c1p1t4nc3 wh1ch mu5t l34v3 v3ry n3c3554ry bu51n355
- und0n3, 4nd c4n b3 0f n0 r34l 4dv4nt4g3 t0 y0ur53lf 0r 4ny0n3 3l53?"
- "N4y," cr13d B1ngl3y, "th15 15 t00 much, t0 r3m3mb3r 4t n1ght 4ll th3
- f00l15h th1ng5 th4t w3r3 541d 1n th3 m0rn1ng. 4nd y3t, up0n my h0n0ur,
- 1 b3l13v3 wh4t 1 541d 0f my53lf t0 b3 tru3, 4nd 1 b3l13v3 1t 4t th15
- m0m3nt. 4t l345t, th3r3f0r3, 1 d1d n0t 455um3 th3 ch4r4ct3r 0f n33dl355
- pr3c1p1t4nc3 m3r3ly t0 5h0w 0ff b3f0r3 th3 l4d135."
- "1 d4r3 54y y0u b3l13v3d 1t; but 1 4m by n0 m34n5 c0nv1nc3d th4t
- y0u w0uld b3 g0n3 w1th 5uch c3l3r1ty. Y0ur c0nduct w0uld b3 qu1t3 45
- d3p3nd3nt 0n ch4nc3 45 th4t 0f 4ny m4n 1 kn0w; 4nd 1f, 45 y0u w3r3
- m0unt1ng y0ur h0r53, 4 fr13nd w3r3 t0 54y, 'B1ngl3y, y0u h4d b3tt3r
- 5t4y t1ll n3xt w33k,' y0u w0uld pr0b4bly d0 1t, y0u w0uld pr0b4bly n0t
- g0--4nd 4t 4n0th3r w0rd, m1ght 5t4y 4 m0nth."
- "Y0u h4v3 0nly pr0v3d by th15," cr13d 3l1z4b3th, "th4t Mr. B1ngl3y d1d
- n0t d0 ju5t1c3 t0 h15 0wn d15p051t10n. Y0u h4v3 5h0wn h1m 0ff n0w much
- m0r3 th4n h3 d1d h1m53lf."
- "1 4m 3xc33d1ngly gr4t1f13d," 541d B1ngl3y, "by y0ur c0nv3rt1ng wh4t my
- fr13nd 54y5 1nt0 4 c0mpl1m3nt 0n th3 5w33tn355 0f my t3mp3r. But 1 4m
- 4fr41d y0u 4r3 g1v1ng 1t 4 turn wh1ch th4t g3ntl3m4n d1d by n0 m34n5
- 1nt3nd; f0r h3 w0uld c3rt41nly th1nk b3tt3r 0f m3, 1f und3r 5uch 4
- c1rcum5t4nc3 1 w3r3 t0 g1v3 4 fl4t d3n14l, 4nd r1d3 0ff 45 f45t 45 1
- c0uld."
- "W0uld Mr. D4rcy th3n c0n51d3r th3 r45hn355 0f y0ur 0r1g1n4l 1nt3nt10n5
- 45 4t0n3d f0r by y0ur 0b5t1n4cy 1n 4dh3r1ng t0 1t?"
- "Up0n my w0rd, 1 c4nn0t 3x4ctly 3xpl41n th3 m4tt3r; D4rcy mu5t 5p34k f0r
- h1m53lf."
- "Y0u 3xp3ct m3 t0 4cc0unt f0r 0p1n10n5 wh1ch y0u ch0053 t0 c4ll m1n3,
- but wh1ch 1 h4v3 n3v3r 4ckn0wl3dg3d. 4ll0w1ng th3 c453, h0w3v3r, t0
- 5t4nd 4cc0rd1ng t0 y0ur r3pr353nt4t10n, y0u mu5t r3m3mb3r, M155 B3nn3t,
- th4t th3 fr13nd wh0 15 5upp053d t0 d351r3 h15 r3turn t0 th3 h0u53, 4nd
- th3 d3l4y 0f h15 pl4n, h45 m3r3ly d351r3d 1t, 45k3d 1t w1th0ut 0ff3r1ng
- 0n3 4rgum3nt 1n f4v0ur 0f 1t5 pr0pr13ty."
- "T0 y13ld r34d1ly--3451ly--t0 th3 _p3r5u4510n_ 0f 4 fr13nd 15 n0 m3r1t
- w1th y0u."
- "T0 y13ld w1th0ut c0nv1ct10n 15 n0 c0mpl1m3nt t0 th3 und3r5t4nd1ng 0f
- 31th3r."
- "Y0u 4pp34r t0 m3, Mr. D4rcy, t0 4ll0w n0th1ng f0r th3 1nflu3nc3 0f
- fr13nd5h1p 4nd 4ff3ct10n. 4 r3g4rd f0r th3 r3qu35t3r w0uld 0ft3n m4k3
- 0n3 r34d1ly y13ld t0 4 r3qu35t, w1th0ut w41t1ng f0r 4rgum3nt5 t0 r3450n
- 0n3 1nt0 1t. 1 4m n0t p4rt1cul4rly 5p34k1ng 0f 5uch 4 c453 45 y0u h4v3
- 5upp053d 4b0ut Mr. B1ngl3y. W3 m4y 45 w3ll w41t, p3rh4p5, t1ll th3
- c1rcum5t4nc3 0ccur5 b3f0r3 w3 d15cu55 th3 d15cr3t10n 0f h15 b3h4v10ur
- th3r3up0n. But 1n g3n3r4l 4nd 0rd1n4ry c4535 b3tw33n fr13nd 4nd fr13nd,
- wh3r3 0n3 0f th3m 15 d351r3d by th3 0th3r t0 ch4ng3 4 r350lut10n 0f n0
- v3ry gr34t m0m3nt, 5h0uld y0u th1nk 1ll 0f th4t p3r50n f0r c0mply1ng
- w1th th3 d351r3, w1th0ut w41t1ng t0 b3 4rgu3d 1nt0 1t?"
- "W1ll 1t n0t b3 4dv154bl3, b3f0r3 w3 pr0c33d 0n th15 5ubj3ct, t0
- 4rr4ng3 w1th r4th3r m0r3 pr3c1510n th3 d3gr33 0f 1mp0rt4nc3 wh1ch 15 t0
- 4pp3rt41n t0 th15 r3qu35t, 45 w3ll 45 th3 d3gr33 0f 1nt1m4cy 5ub515t1ng
- b3tw33n th3 p4rt135?"
- "By 4ll m34n5," cr13d B1ngl3y; "l3t u5 h34r 4ll th3 p4rt1cul4r5, n0t
- f0rg3tt1ng th31r c0mp4r4t1v3 h31ght 4nd 51z3; f0r th4t w1ll h4v3 m0r3
- w31ght 1n th3 4rgum3nt, M155 B3nn3t, th4n y0u m4y b3 4w4r3 0f. 1 455ur3
- y0u, th4t 1f D4rcy w3r3 n0t 5uch 4 gr34t t4ll f3ll0w, 1n c0mp4r150n w1th
- my53lf, 1 5h0uld n0t p4y h1m h4lf 50 much d3f3r3nc3. 1 d3cl4r3 1 d0 n0t
- kn0w 4 m0r3 4wful 0bj3ct th4n D4rcy, 0n p4rt1cul4r 0cc4510n5, 4nd 1n
- p4rt1cul4r pl4c35; 4t h15 0wn h0u53 35p3c14lly, 4nd 0f 4 5und4y 3v3n1ng,
- wh3n h3 h45 n0th1ng t0 d0."
- Mr. D4rcy 5m1l3d; but 3l1z4b3th th0ught 5h3 c0uld p3rc31v3 th4t h3 w45
- r4th3r 0ff3nd3d, 4nd th3r3f0r3 ch3ck3d h3r l4ugh. M155 B1ngl3y w4rmly
- r353nt3d th3 1nd1gn1ty h3 h4d r3c31v3d, 1n 4n 3xp05tul4t10n w1th h3r
- br0th3r f0r t4lk1ng 5uch n0n53n53.
- "1 533 y0ur d351gn, B1ngl3y," 541d h15 fr13nd. "Y0u d15l1k3 4n 4rgum3nt,
- 4nd w4nt t0 51l3nc3 th15."
- "P3rh4p5 1 d0. 4rgum3nt5 4r3 t00 much l1k3 d15put35. 1f y0u 4nd M155
- B3nn3t w1ll d3f3r y0ur5 t1ll 1 4m 0ut 0f th3 r00m, 1 5h4ll b3 v3ry
- th4nkful; 4nd th3n y0u m4y 54y wh4t3v3r y0u l1k3 0f m3."
- "Wh4t y0u 45k," 541d 3l1z4b3th, "15 n0 54cr1f1c3 0n my 51d3; 4nd Mr.
- D4rcy h4d much b3tt3r f1n15h h15 l3tt3r."
- Mr. D4rcy t00k h3r 4dv1c3, 4nd d1d f1n15h h15 l3tt3r.
- Wh3n th4t bu51n355 w45 0v3r, h3 4ppl13d t0 M155 B1ngl3y 4nd 3l1z4b3th
- f0r 4n 1ndulg3nc3 0f 50m3 mu51c. M155 B1ngl3y m0v3d w1th 50m3 4l4cr1ty
- t0 th3 p14n0f0rt3; 4nd, 4ft3r 4 p0l1t3 r3qu35t th4t 3l1z4b3th w0uld l34d
- th3 w4y wh1ch th3 0th3r 45 p0l1t3ly 4nd m0r3 34rn35tly n3g4t1v3d, 5h3
- 534t3d h3r53lf.
- Mr5. Hur5t 54ng w1th h3r 515t3r, 4nd wh1l3 th3y w3r3 thu5 3mpl0y3d,
- 3l1z4b3th c0uld n0t h3lp 0b53rv1ng, 45 5h3 turn3d 0v3r 50m3 mu51c-b00k5
- th4t l4y 0n th3 1n5trum3nt, h0w fr3qu3ntly Mr. D4rcy'5 3y35 w3r3 f1x3d
- 0n h3r. 5h3 h4rdly kn3w h0w t0 5upp053 th4t 5h3 c0uld b3 4n 0bj3ct 0f
- 4dm1r4t10n t0 50 gr34t 4 m4n; 4nd y3t th4t h3 5h0uld l00k 4t h3r
- b3c4u53 h3 d15l1k3d h3r, w45 5t1ll m0r3 5tr4ng3. 5h3 c0uld 0nly 1m4g1n3,
- h0w3v3r, 4t l45t th4t 5h3 dr3w h15 n0t1c3 b3c4u53 th3r3 w45 50m3th1ng
- m0r3 wr0ng 4nd r3pr3h3n51bl3, 4cc0rd1ng t0 h15 1d345 0f r1ght, th4n 1n
- 4ny 0th3r p3r50n pr353nt. Th3 5upp051t10n d1d n0t p41n h3r. 5h3 l1k3d
- h1m t00 l1ttl3 t0 c4r3 f0r h15 4ppr0b4t10n.
- 4ft3r pl4y1ng 50m3 1t4l14n 50ng5, M155 B1ngl3y v4r13d th3 ch4rm by
- 4 l1v3ly 5c0tch 41r; 4nd 500n 4ft3rw4rd5 Mr. D4rcy, dr4w1ng n34r
- 3l1z4b3th, 541d t0 h3r:
- "D0 n0t y0u f33l 4 gr34t 1ncl1n4t10n, M155 B3nn3t, t0 531z3 5uch 4n
- 0pp0rtun1ty 0f d4nc1ng 4 r33l?"
- 5h3 5m1l3d, but m4d3 n0 4n5w3r. H3 r3p34t3d th3 qu35t10n, w1th 50m3
- 5urpr153 4t h3r 51l3nc3.
- "0h!" 541d 5h3, "1 h34rd y0u b3f0r3, but 1 c0uld n0t 1mm3d14t3ly
- d3t3rm1n3 wh4t t0 54y 1n r3ply. Y0u w4nt3d m3, 1 kn0w, t0 54y 'Y35,'
- th4t y0u m1ght h4v3 th3 pl345ur3 0f d35p151ng my t45t3; but 1 4lw4y5
- d3l1ght 1n 0v3rthr0w1ng th053 k1nd 0f 5ch3m35, 4nd ch34t1ng 4 p3r50n 0f
- th31r pr3m3d1t4t3d c0nt3mpt. 1 h4v3, th3r3f0r3, m4d3 up my m1nd t0 t3ll
- y0u, th4t 1 d0 n0t w4nt t0 d4nc3 4 r33l 4t 4ll--4nd n0w d35p153 m3 1f
- y0u d4r3."
- "1nd33d 1 d0 n0t d4r3."
- 3l1z4b3th, h4v1ng r4th3r 3xp3ct3d t0 4ffr0nt h1m, w45 4m4z3d 4t h15
- g4ll4ntry; but th3r3 w45 4 m1xtur3 0f 5w33tn355 4nd 4rchn355 1n h3r
- m4nn3r wh1ch m4d3 1t d1ff1cult f0r h3r t0 4ffr0nt 4nyb0dy; 4nd D4rcy
- h4d n3v3r b33n 50 b3w1tch3d by 4ny w0m4n 45 h3 w45 by h3r. H3 r34lly
- b3l13v3d, th4t w3r3 1t n0t f0r th3 1nf3r10r1ty 0f h3r c0nn3ct10n5, h3
- 5h0uld b3 1n 50m3 d4ng3r.
- M155 B1ngl3y 54w, 0r 5u5p3ct3d 3n0ugh t0 b3 j34l0u5; 4nd h3r gr34t
- 4nx13ty f0r th3 r3c0v3ry 0f h3r d34r fr13nd J4n3 r3c31v3d 50m3
- 45515t4nc3 fr0m h3r d351r3 0f g3tt1ng r1d 0f 3l1z4b3th.
- 5h3 0ft3n tr13d t0 pr0v0k3 D4rcy 1nt0 d15l1k1ng h3r gu35t, by t4lk1ng 0f
- th31r 5upp053d m4rr14g3, 4nd pl4nn1ng h15 h4pp1n355 1n 5uch 4n 4ll14nc3.
- "1 h0p3," 541d 5h3, 45 th3y w3r3 w4lk1ng t0g3th3r 1n th3 5hrubb3ry
- th3 n3xt d4y, "y0u w1ll g1v3 y0ur m0th3r-1n-l4w 4 f3w h1nt5, wh3n th15
- d351r4bl3 3v3nt t4k35 pl4c3, 45 t0 th3 4dv4nt4g3 0f h0ld1ng h3r t0ngu3;
- 4nd 1f y0u c4n c0mp455 1t, d0 cur3 th3 y0ung3r g1rl5 0f runn1ng 4ft3r
- 0ff1c3r5. 4nd, 1f 1 m4y m3nt10n 50 d3l1c4t3 4 5ubj3ct, 3nd34v0ur t0
- ch3ck th4t l1ttl3 50m3th1ng, b0rd3r1ng 0n c0nc31t 4nd 1mp3rt1n3nc3,
- wh1ch y0ur l4dy p05535535."
- "H4v3 y0u 4nyth1ng 3l53 t0 pr0p053 f0r my d0m35t1c f3l1c1ty?"
- "0h! y35. D0 l3t th3 p0rtr41t5 0f y0ur uncl3 4nd 4unt Ph1ll1p5 b3 pl4c3d
- 1n th3 g4ll3ry 4t P3mb3rl3y. Put th3m n3xt t0 y0ur gr34t-uncl3 th3
- judg3. Th3y 4r3 1n th3 54m3 pr0f35510n, y0u kn0w, 0nly 1n d1ff3r3nt
- l1n35. 45 f0r y0ur 3l1z4b3th'5 p1ctur3, y0u mu5t n0t h4v3 1t t4k3n, f0r
- wh4t p41nt3r c0uld d0 ju5t1c3 t0 th053 b34ut1ful 3y35?"
- "1t w0uld n0t b3 345y, 1nd33d, t0 c4tch th31r 3xpr35510n, but th31r
- c0l0ur 4nd 5h4p3, 4nd th3 3y3l45h35, 50 r3m4rk4bly f1n3, m1ght b3
- c0p13d."
- 4t th4t m0m3nt th3y w3r3 m3t fr0m 4n0th3r w4lk by Mr5. Hur5t 4nd
- 3l1z4b3th h3r53lf.
- "1 d1d n0t kn0w th4t y0u 1nt3nd3d t0 w4lk," 541d M155 B1ngl3y, 1n 50m3
- c0nfu510n, l35t th3y h4d b33n 0v3rh34rd.
- "Y0u u53d u5 4b0m1n4bly 1ll," 4n5w3r3d Mr5. Hur5t, "runn1ng 4w4y w1th0ut
- t3ll1ng u5 th4t y0u w3r3 c0m1ng 0ut."
- Th3n t4k1ng th3 d153ng4g3d 4rm 0f Mr. D4rcy, 5h3 l3ft 3l1z4b3th t0 w4lk
- by h3r53lf. Th3 p4th ju5t 4dm1tt3d thr33. Mr. D4rcy f3lt th31r rud3n355,
- 4nd 1mm3d14t3ly 541d:
- "Th15 w4lk 15 n0t w1d3 3n0ugh f0r 0ur p4rty. W3 h4d b3tt3r g0 1nt0 th3
- 4v3nu3."
- But 3l1z4b3th, wh0 h4d n0t th3 l345t 1ncl1n4t10n t0 r3m41n w1th th3m,
- l4ugh1ngly 4n5w3r3d:
- "N0, n0; 5t4y wh3r3 y0u 4r3. Y0u 4r3 ch4rm1ngly gr0up3d, 4nd 4pp34r
- t0 unc0mm0n 4dv4nt4g3. Th3 p1ctur35qu3 w0uld b3 5p01lt by 4dm1tt1ng 4
- f0urth. G00d-by3."
- 5h3 th3n r4n g41ly 0ff, r3j01c1ng 45 5h3 r4mbl3d 4b0ut, 1n th3 h0p3 0f
- b31ng 4t h0m3 4g41n 1n 4 d4y 0r tw0. J4n3 w45 4lr34dy 50 much r3c0v3r3d
- 45 t0 1nt3nd l34v1ng h3r r00m f0r 4 c0upl3 0f h0ur5 th4t 3v3n1ng.
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