{{prxprp033.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 33 ||

Darcy, 'has too much truth. The word is applied to many a

woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse, or

covering a skreen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in

your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing

more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance,

that are really accomplished.'

'Nor I, I am sure,' said Miss Bingley.

'Then,' observed Elizabeth, 'you must comprehend a great

deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.'

'Yes; I do comprehend a great deal in it.'

'Oh! certainly,' cried his faithful assistant, 'no one can be

really esteemed accomplished, who does not greatly surpass what

is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge

of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages,

to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain

something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice,

her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.'

'All this she must possess,' added Darcy, 'and to all this she

must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of

her mind by extensive reading.'

T am no longer surprized at your knowing only six accomplished

women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.'

'Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility

of all this?'

'J never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and

taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united.'

Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice

of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew

many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst

called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention

to what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at

an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

'Eliza Bennet,' said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed

on her, 'is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend

themselves to the other sex, by undervaluing their own; and with

many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a

paltry device, a very mean art.'

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