{{prxprp153.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 153 ||

Fitzwilliam. 'I should like to know how he behaves among

strangers.'

'You shall hear then -- but prepare for something very dreadful.

The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must

know, was at a ball -- and at this ball, what do you think he did'

He danced only four dances! I am sorry to pain you -- but so

it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were

scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than one young lady

was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot

deny the fact.'

'I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the

assembly beyond my own party.'

'True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ball room.

Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play next? My fingers

wait your orders.'

'Perhaps,' said Darcy, T should have judged better, had I

sought an introduction, but I am ill qualified to recommend

myself to strangers.'

'Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?' said Elizabeth,

still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. 'Shall we ask him why a

man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is

Unqualified to recommend himself to strangers?'

'I can answer your question,' said Fitzwilliam, 'without

applying to him. It is because he will not give himself the trouble.'

'I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,' said

Darcy, 'of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.

I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in

their concerns, as I often see done.'

'My fingers,' said Elizabeth, 'do not move over this instrument

in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They

have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same

expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own

fault -- because I would not take the trouble of practising. It is

not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's

of superior execution.'

Darcy smiled and said, 'You are perfectly right. You have

employed your time much better. No one admitted to the

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