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'Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and

Mr. Robinson: did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's

asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether

he did not think there were a great many pretty women in

the room, and _which_ he thought the prettiest? and his an-

swering immediately to the last question, Oh, the eldest Miss

Bennet, beyond a doubt: there cannot be two opinions on that

point.'

'Upon my word! Well, that was very decided, indeed --

that does seem as if -- but, however, it may all come to noth-

ing, you know.'

_'My_ overhearings were more to the purpose than _yours,_

Eliza,' said Charlotte. 'Mr. Darcy is not so well worth

listening to as his friend, is he? Poor Eliza! to be only just

_tolerable.'_

'I beg you will not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by

his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man that it

would be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long

told me last night that he sat close to her for half an hour

without once opening his lips.'

'Are you quite sure ma'am? Is not there a little mistake?'

said Jane. 'I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.'

'Ay, because she asked him at last how he liked Nether-

field, and he could not help answering her; but she said he

seemed very angry at being spoken to.'

'Miss Bingley told me,' said Jane, 'that he never speaks

much unless among his intimate acquaintance. With _them_

he is remarkably agreeable.'

'I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been

so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But

I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up

with pride, and I daresay he had heard somehow that Mrs.

Long does not keep a carriage, and had to come to the ball

in a hack chaise.'

'I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,' said Miss

Lucas, 'but I wish he had danced with Eliza.'

'Another time, Lizzy,' said her mother, 'I would not dance

with _him,_ if I were you.'

'I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you _never_ to

dance with him.'

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