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something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down

to posterity with all the eclat of a proverb.'

'This is no very striking resemblance of your own character,

I am sure,' said he. 'How near it may be to mine I cannot

pretend to say. You think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly.'

'I must not decide on my own performance.'

He made no answer, and they were again silent till they had

gone down the dance, when he asked her if she and her sisters

did not very often walk to Meryton. She answered in the

affirmative, and, unable to resist the temptation, added, 'When

you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a

new acquaintance.'

The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of hauteur over-*

spread his features, but he said not a word, and Elizabeth, though

blaming herself for her own weakness, could not go on. At

length Darcy spoke, and in a constrained manner said,

'Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may

ensure his making friends -- whether he may be equally capable of

retaining them, is less certain.'

'He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship,' replied

Elizabeth with emphasis, 'and in a manner which he is likely

to suffer from all his life.'

Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of changing the

subject. At that moment Sir William Lucas appeared close to

them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the

room; but on perceiving Mr. Darcy, he stopped with a bow of

superior courtesy to compliment him on his dancing and

his partner.

T have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such

very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you

belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your

fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have

this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable

event, my dear Miss Eliza, (glancing at her sister and Bingley),

shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in!

I appeal to Mr. Darcy: -- but let me not interrupt you, sir. --

You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching

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