{{prxprp008.jpg}} || 8 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above

being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire

could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable

countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his

friend.

Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the

principal people in the room; he was lively and unreserved,

danced every dance, was angry that the ball closed so early, and

talked of giving one himself at Netherfleld. Such amiable

qualities must speak for themselves. What a contrast between

him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once with Mrs. Hurst

and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced to any

other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about

the room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His

character was decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable

man in the world, and every body hoped that he would never

come there again. Amongst the most violent against him was

Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened

into particular resentment by his having slighted one of

her daughters.

Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen,

to sit down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy

had been standing near enough for her to overhear a conversation

between him and Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a

few minutes, to press his friend to join it.

'Come, Darcy,' said he, 'I must have you dance. I hate to

see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You

had much better dance.'

'I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am

particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly

as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and

there is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be

a punishment to me to stand up with.'

'I would not be so fastidious as you are,' cried Bingley, 'for a

kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant

girls in my life, as I have this evening; and there are several of

(hem you see uncommonly pretty.'

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