{{prxprp043.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 43 ||

'To yield readily -- easily -- to the persuasion of a friend is no

merit with you.'

'To yield without conviction is no compliment to the under-'

standing of either.'

'You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the

influence of friendship and affection. A regard for the requester

would often make one readily yield to a request, without waiting

for arguments to reason one into it. I am not particularly speaking

of such a case as you have supposed about Mr. Bingley. We

may as well wait, perhaps, till the circumstance occurs before

we discuss the discretion of his behaviour thereupon. But in

general and ordinary cases between friend and friend, where

one of them is desired by the other to change a resolution

of no very great moment, should you think ill of that person

for complying with die desire, without waiting to be argued

into it?'

'Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject,

to arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance

which is to appertain to this request, as well as the degree of

intimacy subsisting between the parties?'

'By all means,' cried Bingley; 'let us hear all the particulars,

not forgetting their comparative height and size; for that will

have more weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may

be aware of. I assure you, that if Darcy were not such a great

tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him

half so much deference. I declare I do not know a more awful

object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular

places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening

when he has nothing to do.'

Mr. Darcy smiled; but Elizabeth thought she could perceive

that he was rather offended, and therefore checked her laugh. --

Miss Bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received, in

an expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense.

'I see your design, Bingley,' said his friend. -- 'You dislike an

argument, and want to silence this.'

'Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If

you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room,

 [[043]]