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'To yield without conviction is no compliment to the

understanding of either.'

'You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the

influence of friendship and affection. A regard for the re-

quester would often make one readily yield to a request,

without waiting for arguments to reason one into it. I am

not particularly speaking of such a case as you have supposed

about Mr. Bingley. We may as well wait, perhaps, till the

circumstance occurs, before we discuss the discretion of his

behaviour thereupon. But in general and ordinary cases,

between friend and friend, where one of them is desired by

the other to change a resolution of no very great moment,

should you think ill of that person for complying with the

desire, without waiting to be argued into it?'

'Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this sub-

ject, to arrange with rather more precision the degree of

importance which is to appertain to this request, as well

as the degree of intimacy subsisting between the parties?'

'By all means,' cried Bingley; 'let us hear all the par-

ticulars, not forgetting their comparative height and size,

for that will have more weight in the argument. Miss Ben-

net, than you may be aware of. I assure you that if Darcy

were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself,

I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I

do not know a more awful object than Darcy on particular

occasions, and in particular places; at his own house espe-

cially, and of a Sunday evening, when he has nothing to do.'

Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could per-

ceive that he was rather offended, and therefore checked

her laugh. Miss Bingley warmly resented the indignity he

had received, in an expostulation with her brother for talk-

ing such nonsense.

'I see your design, Bingley,' said his friend. 'You dislike

an argument, and want to silence this.'

'Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes.

If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the

room, I shall be very thankful; and then you may say what-

ever you like of me.'

'What you ask,' said Elizabeth, 'is no sacrifice on my

side; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter.'

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