{{prxprp009.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 9 ||

'You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,'

said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bcnnct.

'Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there

is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very

pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner

to introduce you.'

'Which do you mean?' and turning round, he looked for a

moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own

and coldly said, 'She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to

tempt we; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence

to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better

return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting

your time with me.'

Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and

Elizabeth remained with no very cordial feelings towards him.

She told the story however with great spirit among her friends;

for she had a lively, playful disposition, which delighted in

any thing ridiculous.

The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole

family. Mrs. Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired

by the Netherficld party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice,

and she had been distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much

gratified by this as her mother could be, though in a quieter way.

Elizabeth felt Jane's pleasure. Mary had heard herself mentioned

to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbour^

hood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough to be

never without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to

care for at a ball. They returned therefore in good spirits to

Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which they

were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up.

With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occa^

sion he had a good deal of curiosity as to the event of an evening

which had raised such splendid expectations. He had rather

hoped that all his wife's views on the stranger would be diV

appointed; but he soon found that he had a very different story

to hear.

'Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet,' as she entered the room, 'we have

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