{{prxprp083.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 83 ||

'And what is your success?'

She shook her head, 'I do not get on at all. I hear such

different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.'

'I can readily believe,' answered he gravely, 'that reports may

vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet,

that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment,

as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no

credit on either.'

'But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have

another opportunity.'

'I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,' he coldly

replied. She said no more, and they went down the other dance

and parted in silence; on each side dissatisfied, though not to an

equal degree, for in Darcy's breast there was a tolerable powerful

feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon, and directed

all his anger against another.

They had not long separated when Miss Bingley came towards

her, and with an expression of civil disdain thus accosted her: --

'So, Miss Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with George

Wickham! -- Your sister has been talking to me about him, and

asking me a thousand questions; and I find that the young man

forgot to tell you, among his other communications, that he was

the son of old Wickham, the late Mr. Darcy's steward. Let me

recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit

confidence to all his assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy's using him

ill, it is perfectly false; for, on the contrary, he has been always

remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham has treated

Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the

particulars, but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the

least to blame, that he cannot bear to hear George Wickham

mentioned, and that though my brother thought he could not

well avoid including him in his invitation to the officers, he was

excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of the way.

His coming into the country at all is a most insolent thing

indeed, and I wonder how he could presume to do it. I pity

you, Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your favourite's guilt; but

really, considering his descent, one could not expect much better.'

d -

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