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'My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing? Mr.

Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you

as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I

am sure, when so much beauty is before you.' And, taking

her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy, who, though

extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when

she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure

to Sir William,--

'Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I

entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order

to beg for a partner.'

Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed

the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was deter-

mined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his

attempt at persuasion.

'You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is

cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though

this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can

have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-~

hour.'

'Mr. Darcy is all politeness,' said Elizabeth, smiling.

'He is, indeed: but considering the inducement, my dear

Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who

would object to such a partner?'

Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance

had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking

of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss

Bingley,--

'I can guess the subject of your reverie.'

'I should imagine not.'

'You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass

many evenings in this manner, -- in such society; and, in-

deed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more an-

noyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise -- the nothingness,

and yet the self-importance, of all these people! What

would I give to hear your strictures on them!'

'Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind

was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on

the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the

face of a pretty woman can bestow.'

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