{{prxprp044.jpg}} || 44 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

I shall be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like

of me.'

'What you ask,' said Elizabeth, 'is no sacrifice on my side;

and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter.'

Mr. Darcy took her advice and did finish his letter.

When that business was over, he applied to Miss Bingley and

Elizabeth for the indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley moved

with alacrity to the piancforte; and, after a polite request that

Elizabeth would lead the way, which the other as politely and

more earnestly negatived, she seated herself.

Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were thus

employed, Elizabeth could not help observing, as she turned

over some music-books that lay on the instrument, how frequently

Mr. Darcy's eyes were fixed on her. She hardly knew how to

suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a

man; and yet that he should look at her because he disliked her,

was still more strange. She could only imagine, however, at

last, that she drew his notice because there was a something about

her more wrong and reprehensible, according to his ideas of

right, than in any other person present. The supposition did

not pain her. She liked him too little to care for his approbation.

After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the

charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy,

drawing near Elizabeth, said to her --

'Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such

an opportunity of dancing a reel;'

She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question,

with some surprize at her silence.

'Oh!' said she, 'I heard you before, but I could not imme-

diately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know,

to say "Yes", that you might have the pleasure of despising my

taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes,

and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have,

therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to

dance a reel at all -- and now despise me if you dare.'

'Indeed I do not dare.'

Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed

 [[044]]