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'Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may

insure his _making_ friends; whether he may be equally ca-

pable of _retaining_ them, is less certain.'

'He has been so unlucky as to lose _your_ friendship,' replied

Elizabeth, with emphasis, 'and in a manner which he is

likely to suffer from all his life.'

Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing

the subject.

At that moment Sir William Lucas appeared close to

them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side

of the room; but, on perceiving Mr. Darcy, he stopped,

with a bow of superior courtesy, to compliment him on his

dancing and his partner.

'I have been most highly gratified, indeed, my dear sir;

such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident

that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, how-

ever, that your fair partner does not disgrace you; and that

I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially

when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss Eliza (glancing

at her sister and Bingley), shall take place. What congrat-

ulations will then flow in! I appeal to Mr. Darcy; -- but let

me not interrupt you, sir. You will not thank me for detain-

ing you from the bewitching converse of that young lady,

whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.'

The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by

Darcy; but Sir William's allusion to his friend seemed to

strike him forcibly, and his eyes were directed, with a very

serious expression, towards Bingley and Jane, who were

dancing together. Recovering himself, however, shortly, he

turned to his partner, and said,--

'Sir William's interruption has made me forget what we

were talking of.'

'I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William

could not have interrupted any two people in the room who

had less to say for themselves. We have tried two or three

subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of

next I cannot imagine.'

'What think you of books?' said he, smiling.

'Books -- oh no! -- I am sure we never read the same, or

not with the same feelings.'

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