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But Elizabeth was not formed for ill-humour; and though

every prospect of her own was destroyed for the evening, it

could not dwell long on her spirits; and, having told all her

griefs to Charlotte Lucas, whom she had not seen for a week,

she was soon able to make a voluntary transition to the

oddities of her cousin, and to point him out to her particular

notice. The two first dances, however, brought a return of

distress: they were dances of mortification. Mr. Collins,

awkward and solemn, apologising instead of attending, and

often moving wrong without being aware of it, gave her all

the shame and misery which a disagreeable partner for a

couple of dances can give. The moment of her release from

him was ecstasy.

She danced next with an officer, and had the refreshment

of talking of Wickham, and of hearing that he was univer-

sally liked. When those dances were over, she returned to

Charlotte Lucas, and was in conversation with her, when

she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy, who took

her so much by surprise in his application for her hand, that,

without knowing what she did, she accepted him. He walked

away again immediately, and she was left to fret over her

own want of presence of mind: Charlotte tried to console her.

'I daresay you will find him very agreeable.'

'Heaven forbid! _That_ would be the greatest misfortune of

all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to

hate! Do not wish me such an evil.'

When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy

approached to claim her hand, Charlotte could not help

cautioning her, in a whisper, not to be a simpleton, and allow

her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant in

the eyes of a man of ten times his consequence. Elizabeth

made no answer, and took her place in the set, amazed at

the dignity to which she was arrived in being allowed to

stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and reading in her neighbours'

looks their equal amazement in beholding it. They stood for

some time without speaking a word; and she began to imag-

ine that their silence was to last through the two dances,

and, at first, was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancy-

ing that it would be the greater punishment to her partner

to oblige him to talk, she made some slight observation on

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