But he’s very tall and quite noble Jane replied She always seemed to ferret out the kindest comment to say about anyone Mr Darcy barely glanced at any of the young ladies in the room He danced one time with each of Mr Bingley’s sisters and no one else Mr Bingley danced all evening and seemed to pay particular note of Jane When Elizabeth sat to catch her breath between dances she heard Bingley chatting with Darcy You must dance Darcy Bingley said I won’t have you standing by yourself I shall not dance I detest dancing with anyone I do not know well Your sisters are engaged and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with I am glad I do not feel that way Bingley said laughing at his friend You have been dancing with the only handsome girl in the room Darcy said 8
She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen Her sister is very attractive and I see she is not dancing Let me introduce you Bingley pulled Darcy slightly closer to Lizzy What do you mean Darcy turned and looked Elizabeth Bennet full in the face Then he shook off Bingley’s hand She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me Bingley shook his head and walked away to dance again with Jane Darcy walked off And Elizabeth Bennet shook her head and laughed at Darcy’s rudeness After the ball Mrs Bennet declared her approval of Bingley and her dislike for Darcy I am glad he had no interest in any of my daughters I did like Mr Bingley though Lizzy said turning to Jane Didn’t you Jane blushed slightly He is as lively and well mannered as a young man ought to be He is also handsome Elizabeth teased Which a young man ought to be if he can 9
And he showed good taste in asking you to dance so much I did not expect such a compliment Jane agreed That’s because you never expect compliments though you should Dear Lizzy Jane scolded Oh you never see a fault in anybody Lizzy said Nor do you properly see the great goodness in you I have never heard you speak ill of anyone I always speak my mind Jane said So do I Lizzy said But what comes out of our mouths is so different I did not fi nd Mr Bingley’s sisters so friendly They are very kind when you speak with them Jane assured her Elizabeth was not so sure but chose not to share her feelings on the subject 10
2 Mr Darcy Elizabeth Bennet’s dearest friend lived nearby at Lucas Lodge Charlotte Lucas was twenty-seven sensible and plain She came to call at Longbourn the day after the ball I noticed Mr Bingley danced with you fi rst Charlotte Mrs Bennet said But he preferred his second dance partner Charlotte said I overheard him tell Mr Robinson that Jane was the prettiest girl in the room Mrs Bennet fl uttered with happiness I know Mr Darcy was not nearly as pleasant to overhear Charlotte said looking at Lizzy with a smile 11
