{{prxprp015.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 15 ||

'Perhaps you mean what I overheard between him and

Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you? Mr. Robinson's

asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether

he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the

room, and which he thought the prettiest? and his answering

immediately to the last question: -- Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet,

beyond a doubt, there cannot be two opinions on that point.'

'Upon my word! -- Well, that was very decided indeed -- that

does seem as if but, however, it may all come to nothing

you know.'

'My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours, Eliza,'

said Charlotte. 'Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to

as his friend, is he? -- Poor Eliza! -- to be only just tolerable.'

'I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by

his ill-treatment, for he is such a disagreeable man, that it would

be quite a misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me

last night that he sat close to her for half an hour without once

opening his lips.'

'Are you quite sure, Ma'am? -- is not there a little mistake?'

said Jane. -- 'I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.'

'Aye -- because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield,

and he could not help answering her; but she said he seemed

very angry at being spoke to.'

'Miss Bingley told me,' said Jane, 'that he never speaks much,

unless among his intimate acquaintance. With them he is

remarkably agreeable.'

'I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so

very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can

guess how it was; every body says that he is eat up with pride,

and I dare say he had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does

not keep a carriage, and had come to the ball in a hack chaise.'

'I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,' said Miss Lucas,

'but I wish he had danced with Eliza.'

'Another time, Lizzy,' said her mother, 'I would not dance

with him, if I were you.'

'I believe, Ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance

with him.'

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