{{prxprp042.jpg}} || 42 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

compliment to yourself -- and yet what is there so very laudable

in a precipitance which must leave very necessary business

undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or any

one else?'

'Nay,' cried Bingley, 'this is too much, to remember at night

all the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet,

upon my honour, I believed what I said of myself to be true, and

I believe it at this moment. At least, therefore, I did not assume

the character of needless precipitance merely to shew off before

the ladies.'

'I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means convinced

that you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct

would be quite as dependant on chance as that of any man

I know; and if, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were

to say, "Bingley, you had better stay till next week," you would

probably do it -- you would probably not go -- and, at another

word, might stay a month.'

'You have only proved by this,' cried Elizabeth, 'that Mr.

Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. You have

shewn him off now much more than he did himself.'

'I am exceedingly gratified,' said Bingley, 'by your converting

what my friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my

temper. But I am afraid you are giving it a turn which that

gentleman did by no means intend; for he would certainly think

the better of me, if, under such a circumstance, I were to give a

flat denial, and ride off as fast as I could.'

'Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original

intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it;'

'Upon my word, I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy

must speak for himself.'

'You expect me to account for opinions which you chuse to

call mine, but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing

the case, however, to stand according to your representation, you

must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed

to desire his return to the house, and the delay of his plan, has

merely desired it, asked it widiout offering one argument in

favour of its propriety.'

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