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jured a higher degree of excellence than she had reached.

Elizabeth, easy and unaffected, had been listened to with

much more pleasure, though not playing half so well; and

Mary, at the end of a long concerto, was glad to purchase

praise and gratitude by Scotch and Irish airs, at the re-

quest of her younger sisters, who with some of the Lucases,

and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one

end of the room.

Mr. Darcy stood near them in silent indignation at such

a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all con-

versation, and was too much engrossed by his own thoughts

to perceive that Sir William Lucas was his neighbour, till

Sir William thus began:--

'What a charming amusement for young people this is,

Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing, after all. I con-

sider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.'

'Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in

vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world; every

savage can dance.'

Sir William only smiled. 'Your friend performs delight-

fully,' he continued, after a pause, on seeing Bingley join

the group; 'and I doubt not that you are an adept in the

science yourself, Mr. Darcy.'

'You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir.'

'Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from

the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?'

'Never, sir.'

'Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to

the place?'

'It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I

can avoid it.'

'You have a house in town, I conclude.'

Mr. Darcy bowed.

'I had once some thoughts of fixing in town myself, for I

am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain

that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.'

He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was

not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant

moving towards them, he was struck with the notion of

doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her,--

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