LITMIR.BIZ

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a country neighborhood», said Darcy, «there are not many subjects for such study».

      «But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in them».

      Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

      Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

      «London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?»

      «When l am in the country», he replied, «I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either».

      «That is because your nature is so good. But that gentleman», looking at Darcy, «seemed to think the country was nothing at all».

      «Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. «You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be true».

      «Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families».

      For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

      «Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who imagine themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter».

      «Did Charlotte dine with you?»

      «No, she would go home. I think she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr. Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work; my daughters are brought up very differently. But the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain, but then she is our particular friend».

      «She seems a very pleasant young woman».

      «Oh, dear, yes; but one must admit she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane's beauty. Everybody says one does not often see anybody better looking. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner's in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer before we came away. But, however, he did not. Perhaps he thought her too young. However, he wrote some very pretty verses on her».

      «And so put an end to his affection», said Elizabeth impatiently. «I think there have been many cases of affection overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the effectiveness of poetry in driving away love!»

      «I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love», said Darcy.

      «Of a fine, thick, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of fondness, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away».

      Darcy only smiled. And a general pause followed. Elizabeth was afraid that her mother would say something stupid again. Though the lady wished to speak very much, she was unable to find anything to say. So after a short silence Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy, and ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, the youngest of her daughters put herself forward. The two girls had been whispering to each other during the whole visit, and the result of it was, that the youngest reminded Mr. Bingley of his promise to give a ball at Netherfield.

      Lydia was a strong, well-grown girl of fifteen, with a fine complexion and good-humored face. She was a favourite with her mother, whose affection had brought her into society at an early age. She had high animal spirits, and a sort of natural self-importance, which the attention of the officers, to whom her uncle's good dinners, and her own easy manners recommended her, had increased into confidence. She was not afraid, therefore, to address Mr. Bingley on the subject of the ball, and not only to remind him of his promise, but to add also, that it would be the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep it. His answer to this sudden attack was delightful to their mother's ear:

      «I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise; and when your sister is well again, you can name the day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing when she is ill».

      Lydia was satisfied. «Oh! Yes, it would be much better to wait till Jane was well, and by that time most likely Captain Carter would be at Meryton again. And when you have given your ball», she added, «I'll insist on the regiment's giving one also. I'll tell Colonel Forster it'll be quite a shame if he does not».

      Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then left, and Elizabeth returned instantly to Jane, leaving her own behaviour and that of her relatives to the remarks of the two ladies and Mr. Darcy. But, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes, Elizabeth was unable to make him join in their critical remarks about her.

      Chapter 10

      During the day Elizabeth stayed with Jane. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley had spent some hours of the morning with the sick girl, who continued, though slowly, to recover; and in the evening Elizabeth joined their party in the drawing-room. Mr. Darcy was writing a letter to his sister. Miss Bingley was watching the progress of his letter and repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley were at piquet, and Mrs. Hurst was observing their game.

      Elizabeth took up some needlework, and was listening to what passed between Darcy and his companion with great amusement. The endless praises of the lady either of his handwriting or the length of his letter, and the absolute indifference of the gentleman to them formed a curious dialogue, which was exactly in agreement with her opinion of each of them.

      «Miss Darcy will be delighted to receive such a letter!»

      No reaction.

      «You write unusually fast».

      «You are mistaken. I write rather slowly».

      «Pray tell your sister that I long to see her».

      «I have already told her so once, by your desire».

      «How do you manage to make your lines so even?»

      Silence.

      «Tell your sister I am delighted to hear of her progress on the harp; and please let her know how I admire her beautiful little design for a table».

      «Will you let me postpone your admiration till I write again? At present I have no space to put it down».

      «Oh! It isn't important. I'll see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?»

      «They are usually long, but as to always charming it is not for me to say».

      «I'm sure that a person, who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write badly».

      «That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline», cried her brother, «he does not write with ease. He thinks too much about words of four syllables. Don't you, Darcy?»

      «My style of writing is very different from yours».

      «Charles writes so carelessly. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest», said Miss Bingley.

      «My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them, so my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents».

      «Your modesty, Mr. Bingley», said Elizabeth, «must disarm criticism».

      «Nothing is more deceptive», said Darcy, «than the appearance of modesty. It is often just carelessness and sometimes an indirect boast».

      «And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?»

      «The

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