Austen - Pride and Prejudice

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1813

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

by Jane Austen

CHAPTER I

-

IT is a truth universally acn!"le#$e#% that a sin$le &an in

'!ssessi!n !( a $!!# (!rtune &ust be in "ant !( a "i(e)

H!"ever little n!"n the (eelin$s !r vie"s !( such a &an &ay be !n

his (irst enterin$ a nei$hb!rh!!#% this truth is s! "ell (i*e# in

the &in#s !( the surr!un#in$ (a&ilies% that he is c!nsi#ere# as the

ri$ht(ul 'r!'erty !( s!&e !ne !r !ther !( their #au$hters)

+,y #ear ,r) ennet%+ sai# his la#y t! hi& !ne #ay% +have y!u

hear# that Nether(iel# Par is let at last.+

,r) ennet re'lie# that he ha# n!t)+ut it is%+ returne# she/ +(!r ,rs) 0!n$ has ust been here% an#

she t!l# &e all ab!ut it)+

,r) ennet &a#e n! ans"er)

+D! n!t y!u "ant t! n!" "h! has taen it.+ crie# his "i(e

i&'atiently)

+2!u "ant t! tell &e% an# I have n! !becti!n t! hearin$ it)+

This "as invitati!n en!u$h)

+hy% &y #ear% y!u &ust n!"% ,rs) 0!n$ says that Nether(iel# is

taen by a y!un$ &an !( lar$e (!rtune (r!& the n!rth !( En$lan#/

that he ca&e #!"n !n ,!n#ay in a chaise an# (!ur t! see the 'lace% an#

"as s! &uch #eli$hte# "ith it% that he a$ree# "ith ,r) ,!rris

i&&e#iately/ that he is t! tae '!ssessi!n be(!re ,ichael&as% an# s!&e

!( his servants are t! be in the h!use by the en# !( ne*t "ee)+

+hat is his na&e.+

+in$ley)+

+Is he &arrie# !r sin$le.+

+4h5 sin$le% &y #ear% t! be sure5 A sin$le &an !( lar$e (!rtune/

(!ur !r (ive th!usan# a-year) hat a (ine thin$ (!r !ur $irls5+

+H!" s!. h!" can it a((ect the&.+

+,y #ear ,r) ennet%+ re'lie# his "i(e% +h!" can y!u be s! tires!&e5

y!u &ust n!" that I a& thinin$ !( his &arryin$ !ne !( the&)++Is that his #esi$n in settlin$ here.+

+Desi$n5 n!nsense% h!" can y!u tal s!5 ut it is very liely that

he &ay (all in l!ve "ith !ne !( the&% an# there(!re y!u &ust visit hi&

as s!!n as he c!&es)+

+I see n! !ccasi!n (!r that) 2!u an# the $irls &ay $!% !r y!u &ay

sen# the& by the&selves% "hich 'erha's "ill be still better% (!r as

y!u are as han#s!&e as any !( the&% ,r) in$ley &i$ht lie y!u the

best !( the 'arty)+

+,y #ear% y!u (latter &e) I certainly have ha# &y share !( beauty%

but I #! n!t 'reten# t! be anythin$ e*tra!r#inary n!") hen a "!&an

has (ive $r!"n-u' #au$hters% she !u$ht t! $ive !ver thinin$ !( her!"n beauty)+

+In such cases% a "!&an has n!t !(ten &uch beauty t! thin !()+


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+ut% &y #ear% y!u &ust in#ee# $! an# see ,r) in$ley "hen he

c!&es int! the nei$hb!rh!!#)+

+It is &!re than I en$a$e (!r% I assure y!u)+

+ut c!nsi#er y!ur #au$hters) 4nly thin "hat an establish&ent it

"!ul# be (!r !ne !( the&) 6ir illia& an# 0a#y 0ucas are #eter&ine# t!

$!% &erely !n that acc!unt% (!r in $eneral% y!u n!"% they visit n!

ne"-c!&ers) In#ee# y!u &ust $!% (!r it "ill be i&'!ssible (!r us t!visit hi& i( y!u #! n!t)+

+2!u are !ver-scru'ul!us% surely) I #are say ,r) in$ley "ill be

very $la# t! see y!u/ an# I "ill sen# a (e" lines by y!u t! assure hi&

!( &y hearty c!nsent t! his &arryin$ "hichever he ch!!ses !( the

$irls7 th!u$h I &ust thr!" in a $!!# "!r# (!r &y little 0iy)+

+I #esire y!u "ill #! n! such thin$) 0iy is n!t a bit better

than the !thers/ an# I a& sure she is n!t hal( s! han#s!&e as Jane%

n!r hal( s! $!!#-hu&!re# as 0y#ia) ut y!u are al"ays $ivin$ her the

're(erence)+

+They have n!ne !( the& &uch t! rec!&&en# the&%+ re'lie# he/ +they

are all silly an# i$n!rant% lie !ther $irls7 but 0iy hass!&ethin$ &!re !( 9uicness than her sisters)+

+,r) ennet% h!" can y!u abuse y!ur !"n chil#ren in such a "ay5

2!u tae #eli$ht in ve*in$ &e) 2!u have n! c!&'assi!n !n &y '!!r

nerves)+

+2!u &istae &e% &y #ear) I have a hi$h res'ect (!r y!ur nerves)

They are &y !l# (rien#s) I have hear# y!u &enti!n the& "ith

c!nsi#erati!n these t"enty years at least)+

+Ah5 y!u #! n!t n!" "hat I su((er)+

+ut I h!'e y!u "ill $et !ver it% an# live t! see &any y!un$ &en

!( (!ur th!usan# a-year c!&e int! the nei$hb!rh!!#)+

+It "ill be n! use t! us% i( t"enty such sh!ul# c!&e% since y!u "ill

n!t visit the&)+

+De'en# u'!n it% &y #ear% that "hen there are t"enty% I "ill visit

the& all)+

,r) ennet "as s! !## a &i*ture !( 9uic 'arts% sarcastic hu&!r%

reserve% an# ca'rice% that the e*'erience !( three-an#-t"enty years

ha# been insu((icient t! &ae his "i(e un#erstan# his character) Her

&in# "as less #i((icult t! #evel!') 6he "as a "!&an !( &ean

un#erstan#in$% little in(!r&ati!n% an# uncertain te&'er) hen she

"as #isc!ntente#% she (ancie# hersel( nerv!us) The business !( her

li(e "as t! $et her #au$hters &arrie#/ its s!lace "as visitin$ an#ne"s)

CHAPTER:II

CHAPTER II

-

,R ENNET "as a&!n$ the earliest !( th!se "h! "aite# !n ,r) in$ley)

He ha# al"ays inten#e# t! visit hi&% th!u$h t! the last al"ays

assurin$ his "i(e that he sh!ul# n!t $!/ an# till the evenin$ a(ter

the visit "as 'ai# she ha# n! n!"le#$e !( it) It "as then #iscl!se#

in the (!ll!"in$ &anner7- 4bservin$ his sec!n# #au$hter e&'l!ye# in

tri&&in$ a hat% he su##enly a##resse# her "ith%+I h!'e ,r) in$ley "ill lie it% 0iy)+

+e are n!t in a "ay t! n!" "hat ,r) in$ley lies%+ sai# her


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&!ther resent(ully% +since "e are n!t t! visit)+

+ut y!u (!r$et% &a&&a%+ sai# Eliabeth% +that "e shall &eet hi&

at the asse&blies% an# that ,rs) 0!n$ has 'r!&ise# t! intr!#uce hi&)+

+I #! n!t believe ,rs) 0!n$ "ill #! any such thin$) 6he has t"!

nieces !( her !"n) 6he is a sel(ish% hy'!critical "!&an% an# I have n!

!'ini!n !( her)+

+N! &!re have I%+ sai# ,r) ennet/ +an# I a& $la# t! (in# that y!u#! n!t #e'en# !n her servin$ y!u)+

,rs) ennet #ei$ne# n!t t! &ae any re'ly% but% unable t! c!ntain

hersel(% be$an sc!l#in$ !ne !( her #au$hters)

+D!n;t ee' c!u$hin$ s!%


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$!!# !e% t!!% that y!u sh!ul# have $!ne this &!rnin$ an# never

sai# a "!r# ab!ut it till n!")+

+N!"%


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his bein$ $!ne t! 0!n#!n !nly t! $et a lar$e 'arty (!r the ball/ an# a

re'!rt s!!n (!ll!"e#% that ,r) in$ley "as t! brin$ t"elve la#ies

an# seven $entle&en "ith hi& t! the asse&bly) The $irls $rieve# !ver

such a nu&ber !( la#ies% but "ere c!&(!rte# the #ay be(!re the ball by

hearin$% that instea# !( t"elve he ha# br!u$ht !nly si* "ith hi&

(r!& 0!n#!n%- his (ive sisters an# a c!usin) An# "hen the 'arty

entere# the asse&bly r!!& it c!nsiste# !nly !( (ive all t!$ether%- ,r)in$ley% his t"! sisters% the husban# !( the el#est% an# an!ther y!un$

&an)

,r) in$ley "as $!!#-l!!in$ an# $entle&anlie/ he ha# a 'leasant

c!untenance% an# easy% una((ecte# &anners) His sisters "ere (ine

"!&en% "ith an air !( #eci#e# (ashi!n) His br!ther-in-la"% ,r)

Hurst% &erely l!!e# the $entle&an/ but his (rien# ,r) Darcy s!!n #re"

the attenti!n !( the r!!& by his (ine% tall 'ers!n% han#s!&e (eatures%

n!ble &ien% an# the re'!rt "hich "as in $eneral circulati!n "ithin

(ive &inutes a(ter his entrance% !( his havin$ ten th!usan# a-year)

The $entle&en 'r!n!unce# hi& t! be a (ine (i$ure !( a &an% the

la#ies #eclare# he "as &uch han#s!&er than ,r) in$ley% an# he "asl!!e# at "ith $reat a#&irati!n (!r ab!ut hal( the evenin$% till his

&anners $ave a #is$ust "hich turne# the ti#e !( his '!'ularity/ (!r he

"as #isc!vere# t! be 'r!u#/ t! be ab!ve his c!&'any% an# ab!ve bein$

'lease#/ an# n!t all his lar$e estate in Derbyshire c!ul# then save

hi& (r!& havin$ a &!st (!rbi##in$% #isa$reeable c!untenance% an# bein$

un"!rthy t! be c!&'are# "ith his (rien#)

,r) in$ley ha# s!!n &a#e hi&sel( ac9uainte# "ith all the

'rinci'al 'e!'le in the r!!&/ he "as lively an# unreserve#% #ance#

every #ance% "as an$ry that the ball cl!se# s! early% an# tale# !(

$ivin$ !ne hi&sel( at Nether(iel#) 6uch a&iable 9ualities &ust s'ea

(!r the&selves) hat a c!ntrast bet"een hi& an# his (rien#5 ,r)

Darcy #ance# !nly !nce "ith ,rs) Hurst an# !nce "ith ,iss in$ley%

#ecline# bein$ intr!#uce# t! any !ther la#y% an# s'ent the rest !( the

evenin$ in "alin$ ab!ut the r!!&% s'eain$ !ccasi!nally t! !ne !( his

!"n 'arty) His character "as #eci#e#) He "as the 'r!u#est% &!st

#isa$reeable &an in the "!rl#% an# everyb!#y h!'e# that he "!ul# never

c!&e there a$ain) A&!n$st the &!st vi!lent a$ainst hi& "as ,rs)

ennet% "h!se #islie !( his $eneral behavi!r "as shar'ene# int!

'articular resent&ent by his havin$ sli$hte# !ne !( her #au$hters)

Eliabeth ennet ha# been !bli$e#% by the scarcity !( $entle&en%

t! sit #!"n (!r t"! #ances/ an# #urin$ 'art !( that ti&e% ,r) Darcyha# been stan#in$ near en!u$h (!r her t! !verhear a c!nversati!n

bet"een hi& an# ,r) in$ley% "h! ca&e (r!& the #ance (!r a (e"

&inutes% t! 'ress his (rien# t! !in it)

+C!&e% Darcy%+ sai# he% +I &ust have y!u #ance) I hate t! see y!u

stan#in$ ab!ut by y!ursel( in this stu'i# &anner) 2!u ha# &uch

better #ance)+

+I certainly shall n!t) 2!u n!" h!" I #etest it% unless I a&

'articularly ac9uainte# "ith &y 'artner) At such an asse&bly as this

it "!ul# be insu''!rtable) 2!ur sisters are en$a$e#% an# there is

n!t an!ther "!&an in the r!!& "h!& it "!ul# n!t be a 'unish&ent t!

&e t! stan# u' "ith)++I "!ul# n!t be s! (asti#i!us as y!u are%+ crie# in$ley% +(!r a

in$#!&5 U'!n &y h!n!r% I never &et "ith s! &any 'leasant $irls in


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&y li(e as I have this evenin$/ an# there are several !( the& y!u

see unc!&&!nly 'retty)+

+2!u are #ancin$ "ith the !nly han#s!&e $irl in the r!!&%+ sai#

,r) Darcy% l!!in$ at the el#est ,iss ennet)

+4h5 she is the &!st beauti(ul creature I ever behel#5 ut there

is !ne !( her sisters sittin$ #!"n ust behin# y!u% "h! is very

'retty% an# I #are say very a$reeable) D! let &e as &y 'artner t!intr!#uce y!u)+

+hich #! y!u &ean.+ an# turnin$ r!un# he l!!e# (!r a &!&ent at

Eliabeth% till catchin$ her eye% he "ith#re" his !"n an# c!l#ly sai#%

+6he is t!lerable% but n!t han#s!&e en!u$h t! te&'t &e/ an# I a& in n!

hu&!r at 'resent t! $ive c!nse9uence t! y!un$ la#ies "h! are

sli$hte# by !ther &en) 2!u ha# better return t! y!ur 'artner an# en!y

her s&iles% (!r y!u are "astin$ y!ur ti&e "ith &e)+

,r) in$ley (!ll!"e# his a#vice) ,r) Darcy "ale# !((/ an# Eliabeth

re&aine# "ith n! very c!r#ial (eelin$s t!"ar#s hi&) 6he t!l# the

st!ry% h!"ever% "ith $reat s'irit a&!n$ her (rien#s/ (!r she ha# a

lively% 'lay(ul #is'!siti!n% "hich #eli$hte# in anythin$ ri#icul!us)The evenin$ alt!$ether 'asse# !(( 'leasantly t! the "h!le (a&ily)

,rs) ennet ha# seen her el#est #au$hter &uch a#&ire# by the

Nether(iel# 'arty) ,r) in$ley ha# #ance# "ith her t"ice% an# she

ha# been #istin$uishe# by his sisters) Jane "as as &uch $rati(ie# by

this as her &!ther c!ul# be% th!u$h in a 9uieter "ay) Eliabeth (elt

Jane;s 'leasure) ,ary ha# hear# hersel( &enti!ne# t! ,iss in$ley as

the &!st acc!&'lishe# $irl in the nei$hb!rh!!#/ an# Catherine an#

0y#ia ha# been (!rtunate en!u$h t! be never "ith!ut 'artners% "hich

"as all that they ha# yet learnt t! care (!r at a ball) They returne#%

there(!re% in $!!# s'irits t! 0!n$b!urn% the villa$e "here they live#%

an# !( "hich they "ere the 'rinci'al inhabitants) They (!un# ,r)

ennet still u') ith a b!! he "as re$ar#less !( ti&e/ an# !n the

'resent !ccasi!n he ha# a $!!# #eal !( curi!sity as t! the event !( an

evenin$ "hich ha# raise# such s'len#i# e*'ectati!ns) He ha# rather

h!'e# that all his "i(e;s vie"s !n the stran$er "!ul# be #isa''!inte#/

but he s!!n (!un# that he ha# a very #i((erent st!ry t! hear)

+4h% &y #ear ,r) ennet%+ as she entere# the r!!&% +"e have ha# a

&!st #eli$ht(ul evenin$% a &!st e*cellent ball) I "ish y!u ha# been

there) Jane "as s! a#&ire#% n!thin$ c!ul# be lie it) Everyb!#y sai#

h!" "ell she l!!e#/ an# ,r) in$ley th!u$ht her 9uite beauti(ul%

an# #ance# "ith her t"ice5 4nly thin !( that% &y #ear/ he actually#ance# "ith her t"ice5 an# she "as the !nly creature in the r!!&

that he ase# a sec!n# ti&e) >irst !( all% he ase# ,iss 0ucas) I

"as s! ve*e# t! see hi& stan# u' "ith her5 but% h!"ever% he #i# n!t

a#&ire her at all/ in#ee#% n!b!#y can% y!u n!"/ an# he see&e# 9uite

struc "ith Jane as she "as $!in$ #!"n the #ance) 6! he in9uire# "h!

she "as% an# $!t intr!#uce#% an# ase# her (!r the t"! ne*t) Then

the t"! thir# he #ance# "ith ,iss


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+4h5 &y #ear%+ c!ntinue# ,rs) ennet% +I a& 9uite #eli$hte# "ith

hi&) He is s! e*cessively han#s!&e5 an# his sisters are char&in$

"!&en) I never in &y li(e sa" anythin$ &!re ele$ant than their

#resses) I #are say the lace u'!n ,rs) Hurst;s $!"n-+

Here she "as interru'te# a$ain) ,r) ennet 'r!teste# a$ainst any

#escri'ti!n !( (inery) 6he "as there(!re !bli$e# t! see an!ther

branch !( the subect% an# relate#% "ith &uch bitterness !( s'irit an#s!&e e*a$$erati!n% the sh!cin$ ru#eness !( ,r) Darcy)

+ut I can assure y!u%+ she a##e#% +that 0iie #!es n!t l!se &uch

by n!t suitin$ his (ancy/ (!r he is a &!st #isa$reeable% h!rri# &an%

n!t at all "!rth 'leasin$) 6! hi$h an# s! c!nceite# that there "as

n! en#urin$ hi&5 He "ale# here% an# he "ale# there% (ancyin$ hi&sel(

s! very $reat5 N!t han#s!&e en!u$h t! #ance "ith5 I "ish y!u ha#

been there% &y #ear% t! have $iven hi& !ne !( y!ur set-#!"ns) I

9uite #etest the &an)+

CHAPTER:I@

CHAPTER I@-

HEN Jane an# Eliabeth "ere al!ne% the (!r&er% "h! ha# been

cauti!us in her 'raise !( ,r) in$ley be(!re% e*'resse# t! her

sister h!" very &uch she a#&ire# hi&)

+He is ust "hat a y!un$ &an !u$ht t! be%+ sai# she% +sensible%

$!!#-hu&!re#% lively/ an# I never sa" such ha''y &anners5- s! &uch

ease% "ith such 'er(ect $!!#-bree#in$5+

+He is als! han#s!&e%+ re'lie# Eliabeth/ +"hich a y!un$ &an !u$ht

lie"ise t! be% i( he '!ssibly can) His character is thereby

c!&'lete)+

+I "as very &uch (lattere# by his asin$ &e t! #ance a sec!n#

ti&e) I #i# n!t e*'ect such a c!&'li&ent)+

+Di# n!t y!u. I #i# (!r y!u) ut that is !ne $reat #i((erence

bet"een us) C!&'li&ents al"ays tae y!u by sur'rise% an# &e never)

hat c!ul# be &!re natural than his asin$ y!u a$ain. He c!ul# n!t

hel' seein$ that y!u "ere ab!ut (ive ti&es as 'retty as every !ther

"!&an in the r!!&) N! thans t! his $allantry (!r that) ell% he

certainly is very a$reeable% an# I $ive y!u leave t! lie hi&) 2!u

have lie# &any a stu'i#er 'ers!n)+

+Dear 0iy5+

+4h5 y!u are a $reat #eal t!! a't% y!u n!"% t! lie 'e!'le in$eneral) 2!u never see a (ault in anyb!#y) All the "!rl# are $!!#

an# a$reeable in y!ur eyes) I never hear# y!u s'ea ill !( a hu&an

bein$ in &y li(e)+

+I "!ul# "ish n!t t! be hasty in censurin$ any !ne/ but I al"ays

s'ea "hat I thin)+

+I n!" y!u #!/ an# it is that "hich &aes the "!n#er) ith y!ur

$!!# sense% t! be s! h!nestly blin# t! the (!llies an# n!nsense !(

!thers5 A((ectati!n !( can#!r is c!&&!n en!u$h- !ne &eets it

every"here) ut t! be can#i# "ith!ut !stentati!n !r #esi$n- t! tae

the $!!# !( everyb!#y;s character an# &ae it still better% an# say

n!thin$ !( the ba#- bel!n$s t! y!u al!ne) An# s! y!u lie this &an;ssisters% t!!% #! y!u. Their &anners are n!t e9ual t! his)+

+Certainly n!t- at (irst) ut they are very 'leasin$ "!&en "hen


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y!u c!nverse "ith the&) ,iss in$ley is t! live "ith her br!ther%

an# ee' his h!use/ an# I a& &uch &istaen i( "e shall n!t (in# a very

char&in$ nei$hb!r in her)+

Eliabeth listene# in silence% but "as n!t c!nvince#% their behavi!r

at the asse&bly ha# n!t been calculate# t! 'lease in $eneral/ an# "ith

&!re 9uicness !( !bservati!n an# less 'liancy !( te&'er than her

sister% an# "ith a u#$&ent t!! unassaile# by any attenti!n t!hersel(% she "as very little #is'!se# t! a''r!ve the&) They "ere in

(act very (ine la#ies/ n!t #e(icient in $!!# hu&!r "hen they "ere

'lease#% n!r in the '!"er !( bein$ a$reeable "hen they ch!se it% but

'r!u# an# c!nceite#) They "ere rather han#s!&e% ha# been e#ucate# in

!ne !( the (irst 'rivate se&inaries in t!"n% ha# a (!rtune !( t"enty

th!usan# '!un#s% "ere in the habit !( s'en#in$ &!re than they !u$ht%

an# !( ass!ciatin$ "ith 'e!'le !( ran% an# "ere there(!re in every

res'ect entitle# t! thin "ell !( the&selves% an# &eanly !( !thers)

They "ere !( a res'ectable (a&ily in the n!rth !( En$lan#/ a

circu&stance &!re #ee'ly i&'resse# !n their &e&!ries than that their

br!ther;s (!rtune an# their !"n ha# been ac9uire# by tra#e),r) in$ley inherite# 'r!'erty t! the a&!unt !( nearly an hun#re#

th!usan# '!un#s (r!& his (ather% "h! ha# inten#e# t! 'urchase an

estate% but #i# n!t live t! #! it) ,r) in$ley inten#e# it lie"ise%

an# s!&eti&es &a#e ch!ice !( his c!unty/ but as he "as n!" 'r!vi#e#

"ith a $!!# h!use an# the liberty !( a &an!r% it "as #!ubt(ul t!

&any !( th!se "h! best ne" the easiness !( his te&'er% "hether he

&i$ht n!t s'en# the re&ain#er !( his #ays at Nether(iel#% an# leave

the ne*t $enerati!n t! 'urchase)

His sisters "ere very an*i!us (!r his havin$ an estate !( his !"n/

but% th!u$h he "as n!" establishe# !nly as a tenant% ,iss in$ley

"as by n! &eans un"illin$ t! 'resi#e at his table- n!r "as ,rs) Hurst%

"h! ha# &arrie# a &an !( &!re (ashi!n than (!rtune% less #is'!se# t!

c!nsi#er his h!use as her h!&e "hen it suite# her) ,r) in$ley ha# n!t

been !( a$e t"! years% "hen he "as te&'te# by an acci#ental

rec!&&en#ati!n t! l!! at Nether(iel# H!use) He #i# l!! at it% an#

int! it (!r hal(-an-h!ur- "as 'lease# "ith the situati!n an# the

'rinci'al r!!&s% satis(ie# "ith "hat the !"ner sai# in its 'raise% an#

t!! it i&&e#iately)

et"een hi& an# Darcy there "as a very stea#y (rien#shi'% in s'ite

!( $reat !''!siti!n !( character) in$ley "as en#eare# t! Darcy by the

easiness% !'enness% an# #uctility !( his te&'er% th!u$h n! #is'!siti!nc!ul# !((er a $reater c!ntrast t! his !"n% an# th!u$h "ith his !"n

he never a''eare# #issatis(ie#) 4n the stren$th !( Darcy;s re$ar#%

in$ley ha# the (ir&est reliance% an# !( his u#$&ent the hi$hest

!'ini!n) In un#erstan#in$% Darcy "as the su'eri!r) in$ley "as by n!

&eans #e(icient% but Darcy "as clever) He "as at the sa&e ti&e

hau$hty% reserve#% an# (asti#i!us% an# his &anners% th!u$h

"ell-bre#% "ere n!t invitin$) In that res'ect his (rien# ha# $reatly

the a#vanta$e) in$ley "as sure !( bein$ lie# "herever he a''eare#%

Darcy "as c!ntinually $ivin$ !((ense)

The &anner in "hich they s'!e !( the ,eryt!n asse&bly "as

su((iciently characteristic) in$ley ha# never &et "ith 'leasanter'e!'le !r 'rettier $irls in his li(e/ everyb!#y ha# been &!st in# an#

attentive t! hi&/ there ha# been n! (!r&ality% n! sti((ness/ he ha#


9/219

s!!n (elt ac9uainte# "ith all the r!!&/ an# as t! ,iss ennet% he

c!ul# n!t c!nceive an an$el &!re beauti(ul) Darcy% !n the c!ntrary%

ha# seen a c!llecti!n !( 'e!'le in "h!& there "as little beauty an# n!

(ashi!n% (!r n!ne !( "h!& he ha# (elt the s&allest interest% an#

(r!& n!ne receive# either attenti!n !r 'leasure) ,iss ennet he

acn!"le#$e# t! be 'retty% but she s&ile# t!! &uch)

,rs) Hurst an# her sister all!"e# it t! be s!- but still theya#&ire# her an# lie# her% an# 'r!n!unce# her t! be a s"eet $irl%

an# !ne "h!& they sh!ul# n!t !bect t! n!" &!re !() ,iss ennet "as

there(!re establishe# as a s"eet $irl% an# their br!ther (elt

auth!rie# by such c!&&en#ati!n t! thin !( her as he ch!se)

CHAPTER:@

CHAPTER @

-

ITHIN a sh!rt "al !( 0!n$b!urn live# a (a&ily "ith "h!& the

ennets "ere 'articularly inti&ate) 6ir illia& 0ucas ha# been

(!r&erly in tra#e in ,eryt!n% "here he ha# &a#e a t!lerable (!rtune%an# risen t! the h!n!r !( ni$hth!!# by an a##ress t! the in$% #urin$

his &ay!ralty) The #istincti!n ha# 'erha's been (elt t!! str!n$ly)

It ha# $iven hi& a #is$ust t! his business% an# t! his resi#ence in

a s&all &aret t!"n/ an#% 9uittin$ the& b!th% he ha# re&!ve# "ith

his (a&ily t! a h!use ab!ut a &ile (r!& ,eryt!n% #en!&inate# (r!& that

'eri!# 0ucas 0!#$e% "here he c!ul# thin "ith 'leasure !( his !"n

i&'!rtance% an#% unshacle# by business% !ccu'y hi&sel( s!lely in

bein$ civil t! all the "!rl#) >!r% th!u$h elate# by his ran% it #i#

n!t ren#er hi& su'ercili!us/ !n the c!ntrary% he "as all attenti!n

t! everyb!#y) y nature in!((ensive% (rien#ly% an# !bli$in$% his

'resentati!n at 6t) Ja&es;s ha# &a#e hi& c!urte!us)

0a#y 0ucas "as a very $!!# in# !( "!&an% n!t t!! clever t! be a

valuable nei$hb!r t! ,rs) ennet) They ha# several chil#ren) The

el#est !( the&% a sensible% intelli$ent y!un$ "!&an% ab!ut

t"enty-seven% "as Eliabeth;s inti&ate (rien#)

That the ,iss 0ucases an# the ,iss ennets sh!ul# &eet t! tal

!ver a ball "as abs!lutely necessary/ an# the &!rnin$ a(ter the

asse&bly br!u$ht the (!r&er t! 0!n$b!urn t! hear an# t! c!&&unicate)

+2!u be$an the evenin$ "ell% Charl!tte%+ sai# ,rs) ennet "ith civil

sel(-c!&&an# t! ,iss 0ucas) +2!u "ere ,r) in$ley;s (irst ch!ice)+

+2es/ but he see&e# t! lie his sec!n# better)++4h5 y!u &ean Jane% I su''!se% because he #ance# "ith her t"ice)

T! be sure that #i# see& as i( he a#&ire# herin#ee# I rather believe

he #i#- I hear# s!&ethin$ ab!ut it- but I har#ly n!" "hat-

s!&ethin$ ab!ut ,r) R!bins!n)+

+Perha's y!u &ean "hat I !verhear# bet"een hi& an# ,r) R!bins!n/ #i#

n!t I &enti!n it t! y!u. ,r) R!bins!n;s asin$ hi& h!" he lie# !ur

,eryt!n asse&blies% an# "hether he #i# n!t thin there "ere a $reat

&any 'retty "!&en in the r!!&% an# "hich he th!u$ht the 'rettiest. an#

his ans"erin$ i&&e#iately t! the last 9uesti!n- ;4h5 the el#est ,iss

ennet% bey!n# a #!ubt/ there cann!t be t"! !'ini!ns !n that '!int);+

+U'!n &y "!r#5- ell% that "as very #eci#e# in#ee#- that #!es see&as i(- but% h!"ever% it &ay all c!&e t! n!thin$% y!u n!")+

+,y !verhearin$s "ere &!re t! the 'ur'!se than y!urs% Elia%+ sai#


10/219

Charl!tte) +,r) Darcy is n!t s! "ell "!rth% listenin$ t! as his

(rien#% is he.- P!!r Elia5- t! be !nly ust t!lerable)+

+I be$ y!u "!ul# n!t 'ut it int! 0iy;s hea# t! be ve*e# by his

ill-treat&ent% (!r he is such a #isa$reeable &an% that it "!ul# be

9uite a &is(!rtune t! be lie# by hi&) ,rs) 0!n$ t!l# &e last ni$ht

that he sat cl!se t! her (!r hal(-an-h!ur "ith!ut !nce !'enin$ his

li's)++Are y!u 9uite sure% &a;a&.- is n!t there a little &istae.+ sai#

Jane) +I certainly sa" ,r) Darcy s'eain$ t! her)+

+Aye- because she ase# hi& at last h!" he lie# Nether(iel#% an# he

c!ul# n!t hel' ans"erin$ her/ but she sai# he see&e# very an$ry at

bein$ s'!e t!)+

+,iss in$ley t!l# &e%+ sai# Jane% +that he never s'eas &uch%

unless a&!n$ his inti&ate ac9uaintance) ith the& he is re&arably

a$reeable)+

+I #! n!t believe a "!r# !( it% &y #ear) I( he ha# been s! very

a$reeable% he "!ul# have tale# t! ,rs) 0!n$) ut I can $uess h!" it

"as/ everyb!#y says that he is eat u' "ith 'ri#e% an# I #are say heha# hear# s!&eh!" that ,rs) 0!n$ #!es n!t ee' a carria$e% an# ha#

c!&e t! the ball in a hac chaise)+

+I #! n!t &in# his n!t talin$ t! ,rs) 0!n$%+ sai# ,iss 0ucas%

+but I "ish he ha# #ance# "ith Elia)+

+An!ther ti&e% 0iy%+ sai# her &!ther% +I "!ul# n!t #ance "ith hi&%

i( I "ere y!u)+

+I believe% &a;a&% I &ay sa(ely 'r!&ise y!u never t! #ance "ith

hi&)+

+His 'ri#e%+ sai# ,iss 0ucas% +#!es n!t !((en# &e s! &uch as 'ri#e

!(ten #!es% because there is an e*cuse (!r it) 4ne cann!t "!n#er

that s! very (ine a y!un$ &an% "ith (a&ily% (!rtune% everythin$ in his

(av!r% sh!ul# thin hi$hly !( hi&sel() I( I &ay s! e*'ress it% he

has a ri$ht t! be 'r!u#)+

+That is very true%+ re'lie# Eliabeth% +an# I c!ul# easily

(!r$ive his 'ri#e% i( he ha# n!t &!rti(ie# &ine)+

+Pri#e%+ !bserve# ,ary% "h! 'i9ue# hersel( u'!n the s!li#ity !(

her re(lecti!ns% +is a very c!&&!n (ailin$% I believe) y all that I

have ever rea#% I a& c!nvince# that it is very c!&&!n in#ee#/ that

hu&an nature is 'articularly 'r!ne t! it% an# that there are very

(e" !( us "h! #! n!t cherish a (eelin$ !( sel(-c!&'lacency !n the

sc!re !( s!&e 9uality !r the !ther% real !r i&a$inary) @anity an#'ri#e are #i((erent thin$s% th!u$h the "!r#s are !(ten use#

syn!ny&!usly) A 'ers!n &ay be 'r!u# "ith!ut bein$ vain) Pri#e

relates &!re t! !ur !'ini!n !( !urselves% vanity t! "hat "e "!ul# have

!thers thin !( us)+

+I( I "ere as rich as ,r) Darcy%+ crie# a y!un$ 0ucas% "h! ca&e "ith

his sisters% +I sh!ul# n!t care h!" 'r!u# I "as) I "!ul# ee' a 'ac

!( (!*h!un#s% an# #rin a b!ttle !( "ine every #ay)+

+Then y!u "!ul# #rin a $reat #eal &!re than y!u !u$ht%+ sai# ,rs)

ennet/ +an# i( I "ere t! see y!u at it% I sh!ul# tae a"ay y!ur

b!ttle #irectly)+

The b!y 'r!teste# that she sh!ul# n!t/ she c!ntinue# t! #eclare thatshe "!ul#% an# the ar$u&ent en#e# !nly "ith the visit)


11/219

CHAPTER:@I

CHAPTER @I

-

THE la#ies !( 0!n$b!urn s!!n "aite# !n th!se !( Nether(iel#) The

visit "as s!!n returne# in #ue (!r&) ,iss ennet;s 'leasin$ &anners

$re" !n the $!!#"ill !( ,rs) Hurst an# ,iss in$ley/ an# th!u$h the

&!ther "as (!un# t! be int!lerable% an# the y!un$er sisters n!t"!rth s'eain$ t!% a "ish !( bein$ better ac9uainte# "ith the& "as

e*'resse# t!"ar#s the t"! el#est) y Jane% this attenti!n "as receive#

"ith the $reatest 'leasure/ but Eliabeth still sa" su'ercili!usness

in their treat&ent !( everyb!#y% har#ly e*ce'tin$ even her sister% an#

c!ul# n!t lie the&/ th!u$h their in#ness t! Jane% such as it "as%

ha# a value as arisin$ in all 'r!bability (r!& the in(luence !(

their br!ther;s a#&irati!n) It "as $enerally evi#ent "henever they

&et% that he #i# a#&ire her/ an# t! her it "as e9ually evi#ent that

Jane "as yiel#in$ t! the 're(erence "hich she ha# be$un t! entertain

(!r hi& (r!& the (irst% an# "as in a "ay t! be very &uch in l!ve/

but she c!nsi#ere# "ith 'leasure that it "as n!t liely t! be#isc!vere# by the "!rl# in $eneral% since Jane unite#% "ith $reat

stren$th !( (eelin$% a c!&'!sure !( te&'er an# a uni(!r&

cheer(ulness !( &anner "hich "!ul# $uar# her (r!& the sus'ici!ns !(

the i&'ertinent) 6he &enti!ne# this t! her (rien# ,iss 0ucas)

+It &ay 'erha's be 'leasant%+ re'lie# Charl!tte% +t! be able t!

i&'!se !n the 'ublic in such a case/ but it is s!&eti&es a

#isa#vanta$e t! be s! very $uar#e#) I( a "!&an c!nceals her

a((ecti!n "ith the sa&e sill (r!& the !bect !( it% she &ay l!se

the !''!rtunity !( (i*in$ hi&/ an# it "ill then be but '!!r

c!ns!lati!n t! believe the "!rl# e9ually in the #ar) There is s! &uch

!( $ratitu#e !r vanity in al&!st every attach&ent% that it is n!t sa(e

t! leave any t! itsel() e can all be$in (reely- a sli$ht 're(erence

is natural en!u$h7 but there are very (e" !( us "h! have heart

en!u$h t! be really in l!ve "ith!ut enc!ura$e&ent) In nine cases !ut

!( ten a "!&an ha# better sh!" &!re a((ecti!n than she (eels)

in$ley lies y!ur sister% un#!ubte#ly/ but he &ay never #! &!re

than lie her% i( she #!es n!t hel' hi& !n)+

+ut she #!es hel' hi& !n% as &uch as her nature "ill all!") I( I

can 'erceive her re$ar# (!r hi&% he &ust be a si&'let!n% in#ee#% n!t

t! #isc!ver it t!!)+

+Re&e&ber% Elia% that he #!es n!t n!" Jane;s #is'!siti!n as y!u#!)+

+ut i( a "!&an is 'artial t! a &an% an# #!es n!t en#eav!r t!

c!nceal it% he &ust (in# it !ut)+

+Perha's he &ust% i( he sees en!u$h !( her) ut% th!u$h in$ley

an# Jane &eet t!lerably !(ten% it is never (!r &any h!urs t!$ether/

an# as they al"ays see each !ther in lar$e &i*e# 'arties% it is

i&'!ssible that every &!&ent sh!ul# be e&'l!ye# in c!nversin$

t!$ether) Jane sh!ul# there(!re &ae the &!st !( every hal(-h!ur in

"hich she can c!&&an# his attenti!n) hen she is secure !( hi&%

there "ill be leisure (!r (allin$ in l!ve as &uch as she ch!!ses)+

+2!ur 'lan is a $!!# !ne%+ re'lie# Eliabeth% +"here n!thin$ is in9uesti!n but the #esire !( bein$ "ell &arrie#/ an# i( I "ere

#eter&ine# t! $et a rich husban#% !r any husban#% I #are say I


12/219

sh!ul# a#!'t it) ut these are n!t Jane;s (eelin$s/ she is n!t

actin$ by #esi$n) As yet% she cann!t even be certain !( the #e$ree

!( her !"n re$ar# n!r !( its reas!nableness) 6he has n!"n hi& !nly

a (!rtni$ht) 6he #ance# (!ur #ances "ith hi& at ,eryt!n/ she sa" hi&

!ne &!rnin$ at his !"n h!use% an# has since #ine# in c!&'any "ith

hi& (!ur ti&es) This is n!t 9uite en!u$h t! &ae her un#erstan# his

character)++N!t as y!u re'resent it) Ha# she &erely #ine# "ith hi&% she &i$ht

!nly have #isc!vere# "hether he ha# a $!!# a''etite/ but y!u &ust

re&e&ber that (!ur evenin$s have been als! s'ent t!$ether- an# (!ur

evenin$s &ay #! a $reat #eal)+

+2es/ these (!ur evenin$s have enable# the& t! ascertain that they

b!th lie @in$t-un better than C!&&erce/ but "ith res'ect t! any !ther

lea#in$ characteristic% I #! n!t i&a$ine that &uch has been un(!l#e#)+

+ell%+ sai# Charl!tte% +I "ish Jane success "ith all &y heart/

an# i( she "ere &arrie# t! hi& t!-&!rr!"% I sh!ul# thin she ha# as

$!!# a chance !( ha''iness as i( she "ere t! be stu#yin$ his character

(!r a t"elve&!nth) Ha''iness in &arria$e is entirely a &atter !(chance) I( the #is'!siti!ns !( the 'arties are ever s! "ell n!"n t!

each !ther !r ever s! si&ilar be(!rehan#% it #!es n!t a#vance their

(elicity in the least) They al"ays c!ntinue t! $r!" su((iciently

unlie a(ter"ar#s t! have their share !( ve*ati!n/ an# it is better t!

n!" as little as '!ssible !( the #e(ects !( the 'ers!n "ith "h!&

y!u are t! 'ass y!ur li(e)+

+2!u &ae &e lau$h% Charl!tte/ but it is n!t s!un#) 2!u n!" it is

n!t s!un#% an# that y!u "!ul# never act in this "ay y!ursel()+

4ccu'ie# in !bservin$ ,r) in$ley;s attenti!ns t! her sister%

Eliabeth "as (ar (r!& sus'ectin$ that she "as hersel( bec!&in$ an

!bect !( s!&e interest in the eyes !( his (rien#) ,r) Darcy ha# at

(irst scarcely all!"e# her t! be 'retty/ he ha# l!!e# at her

"ith!ut a#&irati!n at the ball/ an# "hen they ne*t &et% he l!!e# at

her !nly t! criticie) ut n! s!!ner ha# he &a#e it clear t! hi&sel(

an# his (rien#s that she ha# har#ly a $!!# (eature in her (ace% than

he be$an t! (in# it "as ren#ere# unc!&&!nly intelli$ent by the

beauti(ul e*'ressi!n !( her #ar eyes) T! this #isc!very succee#e#

s!&e !thers e9ually &!rti(yin$) Th!u$h he ha# #etecte# "ith a critical

eye &!re than !ne (ailure !( 'er(ect sy&&etry in her (!r&% he "as

(!rce# t! acn!"le#$e her (i$ure t! be li$ht an# 'leasin$/ an# in

s'ite !( his assertin$ that her &anners "ere n!t th!se !( the(ashi!nable "!rl#% he "as cau$ht by their easy 'lay(ulness) 4( this

she "as 'er(ectly una"are/- t! her he "as !nly the &an "h! &a#e

hi&sel( a$reeable n!"here% an# "h! ha# n!t th!u$ht her han#s!&e en!u$h

t!% #ance "ith)

He be$an t! "ish t! n!" &!re !( her% an# as a ste' t!"ar#s

c!nversin$ "ith her hi&sel(% atten#e# t! her c!nversati!n "ith !thers)

His #!in$ s! #re" her n!tice) It "as at 6ir illia& 0ucas;s% "here a

lar$e 'arty "ere asse&ble#)

+hat #!es ,r) Darcy &ean%+ sai# she t! Charl!tte% +by listenin$

t! &y c!nversati!n "ith C!l!nel >!rster.+

+That is a 9uesti!n "hich ,r) Darcy !nly can ans"er)++ut i( he #!es it any &!re I shall certainly let hi& n!" that I

see "hat he is ab!ut) He has a very satirical eye% an# i( I #! n!t


13/219

be$in by bein$ i&'ertinent &ysel(% I shall s!!n $r!" a(rai# !( hi&)+

4n his a''r!achin$ the& s!!n a(ter"ar#s% th!u$h "ith!ut see&in$ t!

have any intenti!n !( s'eain$% ,iss 0ucas #e(ie# her (rien# t!

&enti!n such a subect t! hi&/ "hich i&&e#iately 'r!v!in$ Eliabeth

t! #! it% she turne# t! hi& an# sai#-

+Di# n!t y!u thin% ,r) Darcy% that I e*'resse# &ysel( unc!&&!nly

"ell ust n!"% "hen I "as teasin$ C!l!nel >!rster t! $ive us a ball at,eryt!n.+

+ith $reat ener$y/- but it is a subect "hich al"ays &aes a la#y

ener$etic)+

+2!u are severe !n us)+

+It "ill be her turn s!!n t! be tease#%+ sai# ,iss 0ucas) +I a&

$!in$ t! !'en the instru&ent% Elia% an# y!u n!" "hat (!ll!"s)+

+2!u are a very stran$e creature by "ay !( a (rien#5- al"ays "antin$

&e t! 'lay an# sin$ be(!re anyb!#y an# everyb!#y5 I( &y vanity ha#

taen a &usical turn% y!u "!ul# have been invaluable/ but as it is%

I "!ul# really rather n!t sit #!"n be(!re th!se "h! &ust be in the

habit !( hearin$ the very best 'er(!r&ers)+ 4n ,iss 0ucas;s'erseverin$% h!"ever% she a##e#% +@ery "ell/ i( it &ust be s!% it

&ust)+ An# $ravely $lancin$ at ,r) Darcy% +There is a (ine !l# sayin$%

"hich everyb!#y here is !( c!urse (a&iliar "ith- ;


14/219

si$ht) D! y!u !(ten #ance at 6t) Ja&es;s.+

+Never% sir)+

+D! y!u n!t thin it "!ul# be a 'r!'er c!&'li&ent t! the 'lace.+

+It is a c!&'li&ent "hich I never 'ay t! any 'lace i( I can av!i#

it)+

+2!u have a h!use in t!"n% I c!nclu#e.+

,r) Darcy b!"e#)+I ha# !nce s!&e th!u$hts !( (i*in$ in t!"n &ysel(- (!r I a& (!n# !(

su'eri!r s!ciety/ but I #i# n!t (eel 9uite certain that the air !(

0!n#!n "!ul# a$ree "ith 0a#y 0ucas)+

He 'ause# in h!'es !( an ans"er/ but his c!&'ani!n "as n!t

#is'!se# t! &ae any/ an# Eliabeth at that instant &!vin$ t!"ar#s

the&% he "as struc "ith the acti!n !( #!in$ a very $allant thin$% an#

calle# !ut t! her-

+,y #ear ,iss Elia% "hy are n!t y!u #ancin$.- ,r) Darcy% y!u &ust

all!" &e t! 'resent this y!un$ la#y t! y!u as a very #esirable

'artner) 2!u cann!t re(use t! #ance% I a& sure% "hen s! &uch beauty is

be(!re y!u)+ An#% tain$ her han#% he "!ul# have $iven it t! ,r) Darcy"h!% th!u$h e*tre&ely sur'rise#% "as n!t un"illin$ t! receive it% "hen

she instantly #re" bac% an# sai# "ith s!&e #isc!&'!sure t! 6ir

illia&-

+In#ee#% sir% I have n!t the least intenti!n !( #ancin$) I entreat

y!u n!t t! su''!se that I &!ve# this "ay in !r#er t! be$ (!r a

'artner)+

,r) Darcy% "ith $rave 'r!'riety% re9ueste# t! be all!"e# the h!n!r

!( her han#% but in vain) Eliabeth "as #eter&ine#/ n!r #i# 6ir

illia& at all shae her 'ur'!se by his atte&'t at 'ersuasi!n)

+2!u e*cel s! &uch in the #ance% ,iss Elia% that it is cruel t!

#eny &e the ha''iness !( seein$ y!u/ an# th!u$h this $entle&an

#islies the a&use&ent in $eneral% he can have n! !becti!n% I a&

sure% t! !bli$e us (!r !ne hal(-h!ur)+

+,r) Darcy is all '!liteness%+ sai# Eliabeth% s&ilin$)

+He is in#ee#/ but c!nsi#erin$ the in#uce&ent% &y #ear ,iss Elia%

"e cann!t "!n#er at his c!&'laisance- (!r "h! "!ul# !bect t! such a

'artner.+

Eliabeth l!!e# archly% an# turne# a"ay) Her resistance ha# n!t

inure# her "ith the $entle&an% an# he "as thinin$ !( her "ith s!&e

c!&'lacency% "hen thus acc!ste# by ,iss in$ley-

+I can $uess the subect !( y!ur reverie)++I sh!ul# i&a$ine n!t)+

+2!u are c!nsi#erin$ h!" insu''!rtable it "!ul# be t! 'ass &any

evenin$s in this &anner- in such s!ciety/ an# in#ee# I a& 9uite !(

y!ur !'ini!n) I "as never &!re ann!ye#5 The insi'i#ity% an# yet the

n!ise- the n!thin$ness% an# yet the sel(-i&'!rtance !( all th!se

'e!'le5 hat "!ul# I $ive t! hear y!ur strictures !n the&5+

+2!ur c!necture is t!tally "r!n$% I assure y!u) ,y &in# "as &!re

a$reeably en$a$e#) I have been &e#itatin$ !n the very $reat 'leasure

"hich a 'air !( (ine eyes in the (ace !( a 'retty "!&an can best!")+

,iss in$ley i&&e#iately (i*e# her eyes !n his (ace% an# #esire#

he "!ul# tell her "hat la#y ha# the cre#it !( ins'irin$ suchre(lecti!ns) ,r) Darcy re'lie# "ith $reat intre'i#ity-

+,iss Eliabeth ennet)+


15/219

+,iss Eliabeth ennet5+ re'eate# ,iss in$ley) +I a& all

ast!nish&ent) H!" l!n$ has she been such a (av!rite.- an# 'ray% "hen

a& I t! "ish y!u !y.+

+That is e*actly the 9uesti!n "hich I e*'ecte# y!u t! as) A

la#y;s i&a$inati!n is very ra'i#/ it u&'s (r!& a#&irati!n t! l!ve%

(r!& l!ve t! &atri&!ny% in a &!&ent) I ne" y!u "!ul# be "ishin$ &e

!y)++Nay% i( y!u are seri!us ab!ut it% I shall c!nsi#er the &atter as

abs!lutely settle#) 2!u "ill have a char&in$ &!ther-in-la"% in#ee#/

an#% !( c!urse% she "ill be al"ays at Pe&berley "ith y!u)+

He listene# t! her "ith 'er(ect in#i((erence "hile she ch!se t!

entertain hersel( in this &anner/ an# as his c!&'!sure c!nvince# her

that all "as sa(e% her "it (l!"e# l!n$)

CHAPTER:@II

CHAPTER @II

-

,R) ENNET;6 'r!'erty c!nsiste# al&!st entirely in an estate !(t"! th!usan# a-year% "hich% un(!rtunately (!r his #au$hters% "as

entaile#% in #e(ault !( heirs &ale% !n a #istant relati!n/ an# their

&!ther;s (!rtune% th!u$h a&'le (!r her situati!n in li(e% c!ul# but

ill su''ly the #e(iciency !( his) Her (ather ha# been an att!rney in

,eryt!n% an# ha# le(t her (!ur th!usan# '!un#s)

6he ha# a sister &arrie# t! a ,r) Phili's% "h! ha# been a cler t!

their (ather an# succee#e# hi& in the business% an# a br!ther

settle# in 0!n#!n in a res'ectable line !( tra#e)

The villa$e !( 0!n$b!urn "as !nly !ne &ile (r!& ,eryt!n/ a &!st

c!nvenient #istance (!r the y!un$ la#ies% "h! "ere usually te&'te#

thither three !r (!ur ti&es a "ee% t! 'ay their #uty t! their aunt

an# t! a &illiner;s sh!' ust !ver the "ay) The t"! y!un$est !( the

(a&ily% Catherine an# 0y#ia% "ere 'articularly (re9uent in these

attenti!ns/ their &in#s "ere &!re vacant than their sisters;% an# "hen

n!thin$ better !((ere#% a "al t! ,eryt!n "as necessary t! a&use their

&!rnin$ h!urs an# (urnish c!nversati!n (!r the evenin$/ an# h!"ever

bare !( ne"s the c!untry in $eneral &i$ht be% they al"ays c!ntrive# t!

learn s!&e (r!& their aunt) At 'resent% in#ee#% they "ere "ell

su''lie# b!th "ith ne"s an# ha''iness by the recent arrival !( a

&ilitia re$i&ent in the nei$hb!rh!!#/ it "as t! re&ain the "h!le

"inter% an# ,eryt!n "as the hea#-9uarters)Their visits t! ,rs) Phili's "ere n!" 'r!#uctive !( the &!st

interestin$ intelli$ence) Every #ay a##e# s!&ethin$ t! their n!"le#$e

!( the !((icers; na&es an# c!nnecti!ns) Their l!#$in$s "ere n!t l!n$ a

secret% an# at len$th they be$an t! n!" the !((icers the&selves)

,r) Phili's visite# the& all% an# this !'ene# t! his nieces a s!urce

!( (elicity unn!"n be(!re) They c!ul# tal !( n!thin$ but !((icers/

an# ,r) in$ley;s lar$e (!rtune% the &enti!n !( "hich $ave ani&ati!n

t! their &!ther% "as "!rthless in their eyes "hen !''!se# t! the

re$i&entals !( an ensi$n)

A(ter listenin$ !ne &!rnin$ t! their e((usi!ns !( this subect%

,r) ennet c!!lly !bserve#-+>r!& all that I can c!llect by y!ur &anner !( talin$% y!u &ust

be t"! !( the silliest $irls in the c!untry) I have sus'ecte# it


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s!&e ti&e% but I a& n!" c!nvince#)+

Catherine "as #isc!ncerte#% an# &a#e n! ans"er/ but 0y#ia% "ith

'er(ect in#i((erence% c!ntinue# t! e*'ress her a#&irati!n !( Ca'tain

Carter% an# her h!'e !( seein$ hi& in the c!urse !( the #ay% as he "as

$!in$ the ne*t &!rnin$ t! 0!n#!n)

+I a& ast!nishe#% &y #ear%+ sai# ,rs) ennet% +that y!u sh!ul# be s!

rea#y t! thin y!ur !"n chil#ren silly) I( I "ishe# t! thinsli$htin$ly !( anyb!#y;s chil#ren% it sh!ul# n!t be !( &y !"n%

h!"ever)+

+I( &y chil#ren are silly% I &ust h!'e t! be al"ays sensible !( it)+

+2es- but as it ha''ens% they are all !( the& very clever)+

+This is the !nly '!int% I (latter &ysel(% !n "hich "e #! n!t a$ree)

I ha# h!'e# that !ur senti&ents c!inci#e# in every 'articular% but I

&ust s! (ar #i((er (r!& y!u as t! thin !ur t"! y!un$est #au$hters

unc!&&!nly (!!lish)+

+,y #ear ,r) ennet% y!u &ust n!t e*'ect such $irls t! have the

sense !( their (ather an# &!ther) hen they $et t! !ur a$e% I #are say

they "ill n!t thin ab!ut !((icers any &!re than "e #!) I re&e&ber theti&e "hen I lie# a re# c!at &ysel( very "ell- an#% in#ee#% s! I #!

still at &y heart/ an# i( a s&art y!un$ c!l!nel% "ith (ive !r si*

th!usan# a-year% sh!ul# "ant !ne !( &y $irls I shall n!t say nay t!

hi&/ an# I th!u$ht C!l!nel >!rster l!!e# very bec!&in$ the !ther

ni$ht at 6ir illia&;s in his re$i&entals)+

+,a&&a%+ crie# 0y#ia% +&y aunt says that C!l!nel >!rster an# Ca'tain

Carter #! n!t $! s! !(ten t! ,iss ats!n;s as they #i# "hen they (irst

ca&e/ she sees the& n!" very !(ten stan#in$ in Clare;s library)+

,rs) ennet "as 'revente# re'lyin$ by the entrance !( the (!!t&an

"ith a n!te (!r ,iss ennet/ it ca&e (r!& Nether(iel#% an# the servant

"aite# (!r an ans"er) ,rs) ennet;s eyes s'arle# "ith 'leasure% an#

she "as ea$erly callin$ !ut% "hile her #au$hter rea#-

+ell% Jane% "h! is it (r!&. "hat is it ab!ut. "hat #!es he say.

ell% Jane% &ae haste an# tell us/ &ae haste% &y l!ve)+

+It is (r!& ,iss in$ley%+ sai# Jane% an# then rea# it al!u#)

-

+,2 DEAR >RIEND%-

+I( y!u are n!t s! c!&'assi!nate as t! #ine t!-#ay "ith 0!uisa an#

&e% "e shall be in #an$er !( hatin$ each !ther (!r the rest !( !ur

lives% (!r a "h!le #ay;s tete-a-tete bet"een t"! "!&en can never en#

"ith!ut a 9uarrel) C!&e as s!!n as y!u can !n the recei't !( this),y br!ther an# the $entle&en are t! #ine "ith the !((icers)- 2!urs

ever%

CAR40INE IN?0E2)+

-

+ith the !((icers5+ crie# 0y#ia) +I "!n#er &y aunt #i# n!t tell

us !( that)+

+Dinin$ !ut%+ sai# ,rs) ennet% +that is very unlucy)+

+Can I have the carria$e.+ sai# Jane)

+N!% &y #ear% y!u ha# better $! !n h!rsebac% because it see&s

liely t! rain/ an# then y!u &ust stay all ni$ht)+

+That "!ul# be a $!!# sche&e%+ sai# Eliabeth% +i( y!u "ere surethat they "!ul# n!t !((er t! sen# her h!&e)+

+4h5 but the $entle&en "ill have ,r) in$ley;s chaise t! $! t!


17/219

,eryt!n/ an# the Hursts have n! h!rses t! theirs)+

+I ha# &uch rather $! in the c!ach)+

+ut% &y #ear% y!ur (ather cann!t s'are the h!rses% I a& sure)

They are "ante# in the (ar&% ,r) ennet% are n!t they.+

+They are "ante# in the (ar& &uch !(tener than I can $et the&)+

+ut i( y!u have $!t the& t!-#ay%+ sai# Eliabeth% +&y &!ther;s

'ur'!se "ill be ans"ere#)+6he #i# at last e*t!rt (r!& her (ather an acn!"le#$&ent that the

h!rses "ere en$a$e#/ Jane "as there(!re !bli$e# t! $! !n h!rsebac%

an# her &!ther atten#e# her t! the #!!r "ith &any cheer(ul 'r!$n!stics

!( a ba# #ay) Her h!'es "ere ans"ere#/ Jane ha# n!t been $!ne l!n$

be(!re it raine# har#) Her sisters "ere uneasy (!r her% but her &!ther

"as #eli$hte#) The rain c!ntinue# the "h!le evenin$ "ith!ut

inter&issi!n/ Jane certainly c!ul# n!t c!&e bac)

+This "as a lucy i#ea !( &ine% in#ee#5+ sai# ,rs) ennet &!re

than !nce% as i( the cre#it !( &ain$ it rain "ere all her !"n) Till

the ne*t &!rnin$% h!"ever% she "as n!t a"are !( all the (elicity !(

her c!ntrivance) rea(ast "as scarcely !ver "hen a servant (r!&Nether(iel# br!u$ht the (!ll!"in$ n!te (!r Eliabeth7-

-

+,2 DEARE6T 0I2%-

+I (in# &ysel( very un"ell this &!rnin$% "hich% I su''!se% is t!

be i&'ute# t! &y $ettin$ "et thr!u$h yester#ay) ,y in# (rien#s "ill

n!t hear !( &y returnin$ h!&e till I a& better) They insist als! !n &y

seein$ ,r) J!nes- there(!re #! n!t be alar&e# i( y!u sh!ul# hear !(

his havin$ been t! &e- an#% e*ce'tin$ a s!re-thr!at an# hea#ache%

there is n!t &uch the &atter "ith &e)- 2!urs% =c)+

-

+ell% &y #ear%+ sai# ,r) ennet% "hen Eliabeth ha# rea# the n!te

al!u#% +i( y!ur #au$hter sh!ul# have a #an$er!us (it !( illness- i(

she sh!ul# #ie% it "!ul# be a c!&(!rt t! n!" that it "as all in

'ursuit !( ,r) in$ley% an# un#er y!ur !r#ers)+

+4h5 I a& n!t at all a(rai# !( her #yin$) Pe!'le #! n!t #ie !(

little tri(lin$ c!l#s) 6he "ill be taen $!!# care !() As l!n$ as

she stays there% it is all very "ell) I "!ul# $! an# see her i( I

c!ul# have the carria$e)+

Eliabeth% (eelin$ really an*i!us% "as #eter&ine# t! $! t! her%

th!u$h the carria$e "as n!t t! be ha#/ an# as she "as n! h!rse"!&an%

"alin$ "as her !nly alternative) 6he #eclare# her res!luti!n)+H!" can y!u be s! silly%+ crie# her &!ther% +as t! thin !( such

a thin$% in all this #irt5 2!u "ill n!t be (it t! be seen "hen y!u $et

there)+

+I shall be very (it t! see Jane- "hich is all I "ant)+

+Is this a hint t! &e% 0iy%+ sai# her (ather% +t! sen# (!r the

h!rses.+

+N!% in#ee#) I #! n!t "ish t! av!i# the "al) The #istance is

n!thin$ "hen !ne has a &!tive/ !nly three &iles) I shall be bac by

#inner)+

+I a#&ire the activity !( y!ur benev!lence%+ !bserve# ,ary% +but

every i&'ulse !( (eelin$ sh!ul# be $ui#e# by reas!n/ an#% in &y!'ini!n% e*erti!n sh!ul# al"ays be in 'r!'!rti!n t! "hat is re9uire#)+

+e "ill $! as (ar as ,eryt!n "ith y!u%+ sai# Catherine an# 0y#ia)


18/219

Eliabeth acce'te# their c!&'any% an# the three y!un$ la#ies set !((

t!$ether)

+I( "e &ae haste%+ sai# 0y#ia% as they "ale# al!n$% +'erha's "e

&ay see s!&ethin$ !( Ca'tain Carter be(!re he $!es)+

In ,eryt!n they 'arte#/ the t"! y!un$est re'aire# t! the l!#$in$s !(

!ne !( the !((icers; "ives% an# Eliabeth c!ntinue# her "al al!ne%

cr!ssin$ (iel# a(ter (iel# at a 9uic 'ace% u&'in$ !ver stiles an#s'rin$in$ !ver 'u##les "ith i&'atient activity% an# (in#in$ hersel( at

last "ithin vie" !( the h!use% "ith "eary anles% #irty st!cin$s% an#

a (ace $l!"in$ "ith the "ar&th !( e*ercise)

6he "as sh!"n int! the brea(ast-'arl!r% "here all but Jane "ere

asse&ble#% an# "here her a''earance create# a $reat #eal !(

sur'rise) That she sh!ul# have "ale# three &iles s! early in the #ay%

in such #irty "eather% an# by hersel(% "as al&!st incre#ible t! ,rs)

Hurst an# ,iss in$ley/ an# Eliabeth "as c!nvince# that they hel# her

in c!nte&'t (!r it) 6he "as receive#% h!"ever% very '!litely by

the&/ an# in their br!ther;s &anners there "as s!&ethin$ better than

'!liteness/ there "as $!!# hu&!r an# in#ness) ,r) Darcy sai# verylittle% an# ,r) Hurst n!thin$ at all) The (!r&er "as #ivi#e# bet"een

a#&irati!n !( the brilliancy "hich e*ercise ha# $iven t! her

c!&'le*i!n% an# #!ubt as t! the !ccasi!n;s usti(yin$ her c!&in$ s!

(ar al!ne) The latter "as thinin$ !nly !( his brea(ast)

Her in9uiries a(ter her sister "ere n!t very (av!rably ans"ere#)

,iss ennet ha# sle't ill% an# th!u$h u'% "as very (everish% an# n!t

"ell en!u$h t! leave her r!!&) Eliabeth "as $la# t! be taen t! her

i&&e#iately/ an# Jane% "h! ha# !nly been "ithhel# by the (ear !(

$ivin$ alar& !r inc!nvenience (r!& e*'ressin$ in her n!te h!" &uch she

l!n$e# (!r such a visit% "as #eli$hte# at her entrance) 6he "as n!t

e9ual% h!"ever% t! &uch c!nversati!n% an# "hen ,iss in$ley le(t

the& t!$ether% c!ul# atte&'t little besi#e e*'ressi!ns !( $ratitu#e

(!r the e*tra!r#inary in#ness she "as treate# "ith) Eliabeth

silently atten#e# her)

hen brea(ast "as !ver they "ere !ine# by the sisters/ an#

Eliabeth be$an t! lie the& hersel(% "hen she sa" h!" &uch

a((ecti!n an# s!licitu#e they sh!"e# (!r Jane) The a'!thecary ca&e%

an# havin$ e*a&ine# his 'atient% sai#% as &i$ht be su''!se#% that

she ha# cau$ht a vi!lent c!l#% an# that they &ust en#eav!r t! $et

the better !( it/ a#vise# her t! return t! be#% an# 'r!&ise# her

s!&e #rau$hts) The a#vice "as (!ll!"e# rea#ily% (!r the (everishsy&'t!&s increase#% an# her hea# ache# acutely) Eliabeth #i# n!t 9uit

her r!!& (!r a &!&ent/ n!r "ere the !ther la#ies !(ten absent7 the

$entle&en bein$ !ut% they ha#% in (act% n!thin$ t! #! else"here)

hen the cl!c struc three% Eliabeth (elt that she &ust $!% an#

very un"illin$ly sai# s!) ,iss in$ley !((ere# her the carria$e% an#

she !nly "ante# a little 'ressin$ t! acce't it% "hen Jane testi(ie#

such c!ncern in 'artin$ "ith her% that ,iss in$ley "as !bli$e# t!

c!nvert the !((er !( the chaise int! an invitati!n t! re&ain at

Nether(iel# (!r the 'resent) Eliabeth &!st than(ully c!nsente#%

an# a servant "as #is'atche# t! 0!n$b!urn t! ac9uaint the (a&ily

"ith her stay an# brin$ bac a su''ly !( cl!thes)

CHAPTER:@III


19/219

CHAPTER @III

-

AT (ive !;cl!c the t"! la#ies retire# t! #ress% an# at hal(-'ast

si* Eliabeth "as su&&!ne# t! #inner) T! the civil in9uiries "hich

then '!ure# in% an# a&!n$st "hich she ha# the 'leasure !(

#istin$uishin$ the &uch su'eri!r s!licitu#e !( ,r) in$ley;s% she

c!ul# n!t &ae a very (av!rable ans"er) Jane "as by n! &eans better)The sisters% !n hearin$ this% re'eate# three !r (!ur ti&es h!" &uch

they "ere $rieve#% h!" sh!cin$ it "as t! have a ba# c!l#% an# h!"

e*cessively they #islie# bein$ ill the&selves/ an# then th!u$ht n!

&!re !( the &atter7 an# their in#i((erence t!"ar#s Jane "hen n!t

i&&e#iately be(!re the& rest!re# Eliabeth t! the en!y&ent !( all her

!ri$inal #islie)

Their br!ther% in#ee#% "as the !nly !ne !( the 'arty "h!& she

c!ul# re$ar# "ith any c!&'lacency) His an*iety (!r Jane "as evi#ent%

an# his attenti!ns t! hersel( &!st 'leasin$% an# they 'revente# her

(eelin$ hersel( s! &uch an intru#er as she believe# she "as c!nsi#ere#

by the !thers) 6he ha# very little n!tice (r!& any but hi&) ,issin$ley "as en$r!sse# by ,r) Darcy% her sister scarcely less s!/ an#

as (!r ,r) Hurst% by "h!& Eliabeth sat% he "as an in#!lent &an% "h!

live# !nly t! eat% #rin% an# 'lay at car#s/ "h!% "hen he (!un# her

're(er a 'lain #ish t! a ra$!ut% ha# n!thin$ t! say t! her)

hen #inner "as !ver% she returne# #irectly t! Jane% an# ,iss

in$ley be$an abusin$ her as s!!n as she "as !ut !( the r!!&) Her

&anners "ere 'r!n!unce# t! be very ba# in#ee#% a &i*ture !( 'ri#e

an# i&'ertinence/ she ha# n! c!nversati!n% n! style% n! taste% n!

beauty) ,rs) Hurst th!u$ht the sa&e% an# a##e#-

+6he has n!thin$% in sh!rt% t! rec!&&en# her% but bein$ an e*cellent

"aler) I shall never (!r$et her a''earance this &!rnin$) 6he really

l!!e# al&!st "il#)+

+6he #i#% in#ee#% 0!uisa) I c!ul# har#ly ee' &y c!untenance) @ery

n!nsensical t! c!&e at all5 hy &ust she be sca&'erin$ ab!ut the

c!untry% because her sister ha# a c!l#. Her hair% s! unti#y% s!

bl!"sy5+

+2es% an# her 'ettic!at/ I h!'e y!u sa" her 'ettic!at% si* inches

#ee' in &u#% I a& abs!lutely certain/ an# the $!"n "hich ha# been

let #!"n t! hi#e it n!t #!in$ its !((ice)+

+2!ur 'icture &ay be very e*act% 0!uisa%+ sai# in$ley/ +but this

"as all l!st u'!n &e) I th!u$ht ,iss Eliabeth ennet l!!e#re&arably "ell "hen she ca&e int! the r!!& this &!rnin$) Her #irty

'ettic!at 9uite esca'e# &y n!tice)+

+2!u !bserve# it% ,r) Darcy% I a& sure%+ sai# ,iss in$ley/ +an# I

a& incline# t! thin that y!u "!ul# n!t "ish t! see y!ur sister &ae

such an e*hibiti!n)+

+Certainly n!t)+

+T! "al three &iles% !r (!ur &iles% !r (ive &iles% !r "hatever it

is% ab!ve her anles in #irt% an# al!ne% 9uite al!ne5 "hat c!ul# she

&ean by it. It see&s t! &e t! sh!" an ab!&inable s!rt !( c!nceite#

in#e'en#ence% a &!st c!untry-t!"n in#i((erence t! #ec!ru&)+

+It sh!"s an a((ecti!n (!r her sister that is very 'leasin$%+ sai#in$ley)

+I a& a(rai#% ,r) Darcy%+ !bserve# ,iss in$ley% in a hal(


20/219

"his'er% +that this a#venture has rather a((ecte# y!ur a#&irati!n !(

her (ine eyes)+

+N!t at all%+ he re'lie#/ +they "ere bri$htene# by the e*ercise)+

A sh!rt 'ause (!ll!"e# this s'eech% an# ,rs) Hurst be$an a$ain-

+I have an e*cessive re$ar# (!r Jane ennet% she is really a very

s"eet $irl% an# I "ish "ith all &y heart she "ere "ell settle#) ut

"ith such a (ather an# &!ther% an# such l!" c!nnecti!ns% I a& a(rai#there is n! chance !( it)+

+I thin I have hear# y!u say that their uncle is an att!rney in

,eryt!n)+

+2es/ an# they have an!ther% "h! lives s!&e"here near Chea'si#e)+

+That is ca'ital%+ a##e# her sister% an# they b!th lau$he# heartily)

+I( they ha# uncles en!u$h t! (ill all Chea'si#e%+ crie# in$ley%

+it "!ul# n!t &ae the& !ne !t less a$reeable)+

+ut it &ust very &aterially lessen their chance !( &arryin$ &en

!( any c!nsi#erati!n in the "!rl#%+ re'lie# Darcy)

T! this s'eech in$ley &a#e n! ans"er/ but his sisters $ave it their

hearty assent% an# in#ul$e# their &irth (!r s!&e ti&e at the e*'ense!( their #ear (rien#;s vul$ar relati!ns)

ith a rene"al !( ten#erness% h!"ever% they re'aire# t! her r!!&

!n leavin$ the #inin$-'arl!r% an# sat "ith her till su&&!ne# t!

c!((ee) 6he "as still very '!!rly% an# Eliabeth "!ul# n!t 9uit her at

all% till late in the evenin$% "hen she ha# the c!&(!rt !( seein$

her aslee'% an# "hen it a''eare# t! her rather ri$ht than 'leasant

that she sh!ul# $! #!"nstairs hersel() 4n enterin$ the #ra"in$-r!!&

she (!un# the "h!le 'arty at l!!% an# "as i&&e#iately invite# t!

!in the&/ but sus'ectin$ the& t! be 'layin$ hi$h% she #ecline# it%

an# &ain$ her sister the e*cuse% sai# she "!ul# a&use hersel(% (!r

the sh!rt ti&e she c!ul# stay bel!"% "ith a b!!) ,r) Hurst l!!e#

at her "ith ast!nish&ent)

+D! y!u 're(er rea#in$ t! car#s.+ sai# he/ +that is rather

sin$ular)+

+,iss Elia ennet%+ sai# ,iss in$ley% +#es'ises car#s) 6he is a

$reat rea#er% an# has n! 'leasure in anythin$ else)+

+I #eserve neither such 'raise n!r such censure%+ crie# Eliabeth/

+I a& n!t a $reat rea#er% an# I have 'leasure in &any thin$s)+

+In nursin$ y!ur sister I a& sure y!u have 'leasure%+ sai#

in$ley/ +an# I h!'e it "ill s!!n be increase# by seein$ her 9uite

"ell)+Eliabeth thane# hi& (r!& her heart% an# then "ale# t!"ar#s a

table "here a (e" b!!s "ere lyin$) He i&&e#iately !((ere# t! (etch

her !thers- all that his library a((!r#e#)

+An# I "ish &y c!llecti!n "ere lar$er (!r y!ur bene(it an# &y !"n

cre#it/ but I a& an i#le (ell!"% an# th!u$h I have n!t &any% I have

&!re than I ever l!! int!)+

Eliabeth assure# hi& that she c!ul# suit hersel( 'er(ectly "ith

th!se in the r!!&)

+I a& ast!nishe#%+ sai# ,iss in$ley% +that &y (ather sh!ul# have

le(t s! s&all a c!llecti!n !( b!!s) ;hat a #eli$ht(ul library y!u

have at Pe&berley% ,r) Darcy5+It !u$ht t! be $!!#%+ he re'lie#% +it has been the "!r !( &any

$enerati!ns)+


21/219

+An# then y!u have a##e# s! &uch t! it y!ursel(% y!u are al"ays

buyin$ b!!s)+

+I cann!t c!&'rehen# the ne$lect !( a (a&ily library in such #ays as

these)+

+Ne$lect5 I a& sure y!u ne$lect n!thin$ that can a## t! the beauties

!( that n!ble 'lace) Charles% "hen y!u buil# y!ur h!use% I "ish it &ay

be hal( as #eli$ht(ul as Pe&berley)++I "ish it &ay)+

+ut I "!ul# really a#vise y!u t! &ae y!ur 'urchase in that

nei$hb!rh!!#% an# tae Pe&berley (!r a in# !( &!#el) There is n!t a

(iner c!unty in En$lan# than Derbyshire)+

+ith all &y heart/ I "ill buy Pe&berley itsel( i( Darcy "ill sell

it)+

+I a& talin$ !( '!ssibilities% Charles)+

+U'!n &y "!r#% Car!line% I sh!ul# thin it &!re '!ssible t! $et

Pe&berley by 'urchase than by i&itati!n)+

Eliabeth "as s! &uch cau$ht by "hat 'asse#% as t! leave her very

little attenti!n (!r her b!!/ an# s!!n layin$ it "h!lly asi#e% she#re" near the car#-table% an# stati!ne# hersel( bet"een ,r) in$ley

an# his el#est sister% t! !bserve the $a&e)

+Is ,iss Darcy &uch $r!"n since the s'rin$.+ sai# ,iss in$ley/

+"ill she be as tall as I a&.+

+I thin she "ill) 6he is n!" ab!ut ,iss Eliabeth ennet;s

hei$ht% !r rather taller)+

+H!" I l!n$ t! see her a$ain5 I never &et "ith anyb!#y "h! #eli$hte#

&e s! &uch) 6uch a c!untenance% such &anners5 an# s! e*tre&ely

acc!&'lishe# (!r her a$e5 Her 'er(!r&ance !n the 'ian!(!rte is

e*9uisite)+

+It is a&ain$ t! &e%+ sai# in$ley% +h!" y!un$ la#ies can have

'atience t! be s! very acc!&'lishe# as they all are)+

+All y!un$ la#ies acc!&'lishe#5 ,y #ear Charles% "hat #! y!u &ean.+

+2es% all !( the&% I thin) They all 'aint tables% c!ver screens%

an# net 'urses) I scarcely n!" any !ne "h! cann!t #! all this% an#

I a& sure I never hear# a y!un$ la#y s'!en !( (!r the (irst ti&e%

"ith!ut bein$ in(!r&e# that she "as very acc!&'lishe#)+

+2!ur list !( the c!&&!n e*tent !( acc!&'lish&ents%+ sai# Darcy%

+has t!! &uch truth) The "!r# is a''lie# t! &any a "!&an "h!

#eserves it n! !ther"ise than by nettin$ a 'urse !r c!verin$ a screen)

ut I a& very (ar (r!& a$reein$ "ith y!u in y!ur esti&ati!n !(la#ies in $eneral) I cann!t b!ast !( n!"in$ &!re than hal(-a-#!en%

in the "h!le ran$e !( &y ac9uaintance% that are really acc!&'lishe#)+

+N!r I% I a& sure%+ sai# ,iss in$ley)

+Then%+ !bserve# Eliabeth% +y!u &ust c!&'rehen# a $reat #eal in

y!ur i#ea !( an acc!&'lishe# "!&an)+

+2es% I #! c!&'rehen# a $reat #eal in it)+

+4h5 certainly%+ crie# his (aith(ul assistant% +n! !ne can be really

estee&e# acc!&'lishe# "h! #!es n!t $reatly sur'ass "hat is usually &et

"ith) A "!&an &ust have a th!r!u$h n!"le#$e !( &usic% sin$in$%

#ra"in$% #ancin$% an# the &!#ern lan$ua$es% t! #eserve the "!r#/ an#

besi#es all this% she &ust '!ssess a certain s!&ethin$ in her airan# &anner !( "alin$% the t!ne !( her v!ice% her a##ress an#

e*'ressi!ns% !r the "!r# "ill be but hal(-#eserve#)+


22/219

+All this she &ust '!ssess%+ a##e# Darcy% +an# t! all this she

&ust yet a## s!&ethin$ &!re substantial% in the i&'r!ve&ent !( her

&in# by e*tensive rea#in$)+

+I a& n! l!n$er sur'rise# at y!ur n!"in$ !nly si* acc!&'lishe#

"!&en) I rather "!n#er n!" at y!ur n!"in$ any)+

+Are y!u s! severe u'!n y!ur !"n se* as t! #!ubt the '!ssibility

!( all this.++I never sa" such a "!&an) I never sa" such ca'acity% an# taste% an#

a''licati!n% an# ele$ance% as y!u #escribe unite#)+

,rs) Hurst an# ,iss in$ley b!th crie# !ut a$ainst the inustice

!( her i&'lie# #!ubt% an# "ere b!th 'r!testin$ that they ne" &any

"!&en "h! ans"ere# this #escri'ti!n% "hen ,r) Hurst calle# the& t!

!r#er% "ith bitter c!&'laints !( their inattenti!n t! "hat "as $!in$

(!r"ar#) As all c!nversati!n "as thereby at an en#% Eliabeth s!!n

a(ter"ar#s le(t the r!!&)

+Elia ennet%+ sai# ,iss in$ley% "hen the #!!r "as cl!se# !n

her% +is !ne !( th!se y!un$ la#ies "h! see t! rec!&&en# the&selves t!

the !ther se* by un#ervaluin$ their !"n/ an# "ith &any &en% I #aresay% it succee#s) ut% in &y !'ini!n% it is a 'altry #evice% a very

&ean art)+

+Un#!ubte#ly%+ re'lie# Darcy% t! "h!& this re&ar "as chie(ly

a##resse#% +there is &eanness in all the arts "hich la#ies s!&eti&es

c!n#escen# t! e&'l!y (!r ca'tivati!n) hatever bears a((inity t!

cunnin$ is #es'icable)+

,iss in$ley "as n!t s! entirely satis(ie# "ith this re'ly as t!

c!ntinue the subect)

Eliabeth !ine# the& a$ain !nly t! say that her sister "as "!rse%

an# that she c!ul# n!t leave her) in$ley ur$e# ,r) J!nes;s bein$ sent

(!r i&&e#iately/ "hile his sisters% c!nvince# that n! c!untry a#vice

c!ul# be !( any service% rec!&&en#e# an e*'ress t! t!"n (!r !ne !( the

&!st e&inent 'hysicians) This she "!ul# n!t hear !(/ but she "as n!t

s! un"illin$ t! c!&'ly "ith their br!ther;s 'r!'!sal/ an# it "as

settle# that ,r) J!nes sh!ul# be sent (!r early in the &!rnin$% i(

,iss ennet "ere n!t #eci#e#ly better) in$ley "as 9uite

unc!&(!rtable/ his sisters #eclare# that they "ere &iserable) They

s!lace# their "retche#ness% h!"ever% by #uets a(ter su''er% "hile he

c!ul# (in# n! better relie( t! his (eelin$s than by $ivin$ his

h!useee'er #irecti!ns that every '!ssible attenti!n &i$ht be 'ai#

t! the sic la#y an# her sister)

CHAPTER:IB

CHAPTER IB

-

E0IAETH 'asse# the chie( !( the ni$ht in her sister;s r!!&% an# in

the &!rnin$ ha# the 'leasure !( bein$ able t! sen# a t!lerable

ans"er t! the in9uiries "hich she very early receive# (r!& ,r) in$ley

by a h!use&ai#% an# s!&e ti&e a(ter"ar#s (r!& the t"! ele$ant la#ies

"h! "aite# !n his sisters) In s'ite !( this a&en#&ent% h!"ever% she

re9ueste# t! have a n!te sent t! 0!n$b!urn% #esirin$ her &!ther t!

visit Jane% an# (!r& her !"n u#$&ent !( her situati!n) The n!te "asi&&e#iately #is'atche#% an# its c!ntents as 9uicly c!&'lie# "ith)

,rs) ennet% acc!&'anie# by her t"! y!un$est $irls% reache#


23/219

Nether(iel# s!!n a(ter the (a&ily brea(ast)

Ha# she (!un# Jane in any a''arent #an$er% ,rs) ennet "!ul# have

been very &iserable/ but bein$ satis(ie# !n seein$ her that her

illness "as n!t alar&in$% she ha# n! "ish !( her rec!verin$

i&&e#iately% as her rest!rati!n t! health "!ul# 'r!bably re&!ve her

(r!& Nether(iel#) 6he "!ul# n!t listen% there(!re% t! her #au$hter;s

'r!'!sal !( bein$ carrie# h!&e/ neither #i# the a'!thecary% "h!arrive# ab!ut the sa&e ti&e% thin it at all a#visable) A(ter

sittin$ a little "hile "ith Jane% !n ,iss in$ley;s a''earance an#

invitati!n% the &!ther an# three #au$hters all atten#e# her int! the

brea(ast 'arl!r) in$ley &et the& "ith h!'es that ,rs) ennet ha# n!t

(!un# ,iss ennet "!rse than she e*'ecte#)

+In#ee# I have% 6ir%+ "as her ans"er) +6he is a $reat #eal t!! ill

t! be &!ve#) ,r) J!nes says "e &ust n!t thin !( &!vin$ her) e &ust

tres'ass a little l!n$er !n y!ur in#ness)+

+Re&!ve#5+ crie# in$ley) +It &ust n!t be th!u$ht !() ,y sister% I

a& sure% "ill n!t hear !( her re&!val)+

+2!u &ay #e'en# u'!n it% ,a#a&%+ sai# ,iss in$ley% "ith c!l#civility% +that ,iss ennet shall receive every '!ssible attenti!n

"hile she re&ains "ith us)+

,rs) ennet "as 'r!(use in her acn!"le#$&ents)

+I a& sure%+ she a##e#% +i( it "as n!t (!r such $!!# (rien#s I #!

n!t n!" "hat "!ul# bec!&e !( her% (!r she is very ill in#ee#% an#

su((ers a vast #eal% th!u$h "ith the $reatest 'atience in the "!rl#%

"hich is al"ays the "ay "ith her% (!r she has% "ith!ut e*ce'ti!n%

the s"eetest te&'er I ever &et "ith) I !(ten tell &y !ther $irls

they are n!thin$ t! her) 2!u have a s"eet r!!& here% ,r) in$ley%

an# a char&in$ 'r!s'ect !ver the $ravel "al) I #! n!t n!" a 'lace in

the c!untry that is e9ual t! Nether(iel#) 2!u "ill n!t thin !(

9uittin$ it in a hurry% I h!'e% th!u$h y!u have but a sh!rt lease)+

+hatever I #! is #!ne in a hurry%+ re'lie# he/ +an# there(!re i(

I sh!ul# res!lve t! 9uit Nether(iel#% I sh!ul# 'r!bably be !(( in (ive

&inutes) At 'resent% h!"ever% I c!nsi#er &ysel( as 9uite (i*e# here)+

+That is e*actly "hat I sh!ul# have su''!se# !( y!u%+ sai#

Eliabeth)

+2!u be$in t! c!&'rehen# &e% #! y!u.+ crie# he% turnin$ t!"ar#s her)

+4h5 yes- I un#erstan# y!u 'er(ectly)+

+I "ish I &i$ht tae this (!r a c!&'li&ent/ but t! be s! easily seen

thr!u$h I a& a(rai# is 'iti(ul)++That is as it ha''ens) It #!es n!t necessarily (!ll!" that a

#ee'% intricate character is &!re !r less esti&able than such a !ne as

y!urs)+

+0iy%+ crie# her &!ther% +re&e&ber "here y!u are% an# #! n!t run

in the "il# &anner that y!u are su((ere# t! #! at h!&e)+

+I #i# n!t n!" be(!re%+ c!ntinue# in$ley i&&e#iately% +that y!u

"ere a stu#ier !( character) It &ust be an a&usin$ stu#y)+

+2es% but intricate characters are the &!st a&usin$) They have at

least that a#vanta$e)+

+The c!untry%+ sai# Darcy% +can in $eneral su''ly but (e" subects

(!r such a stu#y) In a c!untry nei$hb!rh!!# y!u &!ve in a veryc!n(ine# an# unvaryin$ s!ciety)+

+ut 'e!'le the&selves alter s! &uch% that there is s!&ethin$ ne" t!


24/219

be !bserve# in the& (!r ever)+

+2es% in#ee#%+ crie# ,rs) ennet% !((en#e# by his &anner !(

&enti!nin$ a c!untry nei$hb!rh!!#) +I assure y!u there is 9uite as

&uch !( that $!in$ !n in the c!untry as in t!"n)+

Everyb!#y "as sur'rise#% an# Darcy% a(ter l!!in$ at her (!r a

&!&ent% turne# silently a"ay) ,rs) ennet% "h! (ancie# she ha#

$aine# a c!&'lete vict!ry !ver hi&% c!ntinue# her triu&'h)+I cann!t see that 0!n#!n has any $reat a#vanta$e !ver the

c!untry% (!r &y 'art% e*ce't the sh!'s an# 'ublic 'laces) The

c!untry is a vast #eal 'leasanter% is n!t it% ,r) in$ley.+

+hen I a& in the c!untry%+ he re'lie#% +I never "ish t! leave it/

an# "hen I a& in t!"n it is 'retty &uch the sa&e) They have each their

a#vanta$es% an# I can be e9ually ha''y in either)+

+Aye- that is because y!u have the ri$ht #is'!siti!n) ut that

$entle&an%+ l!!in$ at Darcy% +see&e# t! thin the c!untry "as n!thin$

at all)+

+In#ee#% &a&&a% y!u are &istaen%+ sai# Eliabeth% blushin$ (!r

her &!ther) +2!u 9uite &ist!! ,r) Darcy) He !nly &eant that there "asn!t such a variety !( 'e!'le t! be &et "ith in the c!untry as in t!"n%

"hich y!u &ust acn!"le#$e t! be true)+

+Certainly% &y #ear% n!b!#y sai# there "ere/ but as t! n!t &eetin$

"ith &any 'e!'le in this nei$hb!rh!!#% I believe there are (e"

nei$hb!rh!!#s lar$er) I n!" "e #ine "ith (!ur-an#-t"enty (a&ilies)+

N!thin$ but c!ncern (!r Eliabeth c!ul# enable in$ley t! ee' his

c!untenance) His sister "as less #elicate% an# #irecte# her eye

t!"ar#s ,r) Darcy "ith a very e*'ressive s&ile) Eliabeth% (!r the

sae !( sayin$ s!&ethin$ that &i$ht turn her &!ther;s th!u$hts% n!"

ase# her i( Charl!tte 0ucas ha# been at 0!n$b!urn since her c!&in$

a"ay)

+2es% she calle# yester#ay "ith her (ather) hat an a$reeable &an

6ir illia& is% ,r) in$ley- is n!t he. s! &uch the &an !( (ashi!n5 s!

$enteel an# s! easy5- He has al"ays s!&ethin$ t! say t! everyb!#y)-

That is &y i#ea !( $!!# bree#in$/ an# th!se 'ers!ns "h! (ancy

the&selves very i&'!rtant% an# never !'en their &!uths% 9uite

&istae the &atter)+

+Di# Charl!tte #ine "ith y!u.+

+N!% she "!ul# $! h!&e) I (ancy she "as "ante# ab!ut the &ince-'ies)

>!r &y 'art% ,r) in$ley% I al"ays ee' servants that can #! their !"n

"!r/ &y #au$hters are br!u$ht u' #i((erently) ut everyb!#y is t!u#$e (!r the&selves% an# the 0ucases are a very $!!# s!rt !( $irls% I

assure y!u) It is a 'ity they are n!t han#s!&e5 N!t that I thin

Charl!tte s! very 'lain- but then she is !ur 'articular (rien#)+

+6he see&s a very 'leasant y!un$ "!&an%+ sai# in$ley)

+4h5 #ear% yes/- but y!u &ust !"n she is very 'lain) 0a#y 0ucas

hersel( has !(ten sai# s!% an# envie# &e Jane;s beauty) I #! n!t

lie t! b!ast !( &y !"n chil#% but t! be sure% Jane- !ne #!es n!t

!(ten see anyb!#y better l!!in$) It is "hat everyb!#y says) I #!

n!t trust &y !"n 'artiality) hen she "as !nly (i(teen% there "as a

$entle&an at &y br!ther ?ar#iner;s in t!"n s! &uch in l!ve "ith her

that &y sister-in-la" "as sure he "!ul# &ae her an !((er be(!re "eca&e a"ay) ut% h!"ever% he #i# n!t) Perha's he th!u$ht her t!! y!un$)

H!"ever% he "r!te s!&e verses !n her% an# very 'retty they "ere)+


25/219

+An# s! en#e# his a((ecti!n%+ sai# Eliabeth i&'atiently) +There has

been &any a !ne% I (ancy% !verc!&e in the sa&e "ay) I "!n#er "h! (irst

#isc!vere# the e((icacy !( '!etry in #rivin$ a"ay l!ve5+

+I have been use# t! c!nsi#er '!etry as the (!!# !( l!ve%+ sai#

Darcy)

+4( a (ine% st!ut% healthy l!ve it &ay) Everythin$ n!urishes "hat is

str!n$ alrea#y) ut i( it be !nly a sli$ht% thin s!rt !(inclinati!n% I a& c!nvince# that !ne $!!# s!nnet "ill starve it

entirely a"ay)+

Darcy !nly s&ile#/ an# the $eneral 'ause "hich ensue# &a#e Eliabeth

tre&ble lest her &!ther sh!ul# be e*'!sin$ hersel( a$ain) 6he l!n$e#

t! s'ea% but c!ul# thin !( n!thin$ t! say/ an# a(ter a sh!rt silence

,rs) ennet be$an re'eatin$ her thans t! ,r) in$ley (!r his in#ness

t! Jane% "ith an a'!l!$y (!r tr!ublin$ hi& als! "ith 0iy) ,r)

in$ley "as una((ecte#ly civil in his ans"er% an# (!rce# his y!un$er

sister t! be civil als!% an# say "hat the !ccasi!n re9uire#) 6he

'er(!r&e# her 'art in#ee# "ith!ut &uch $raci!usness% but ,rs) ennet

"as satis(ie#% an# s!!n a(ter"ar#s !r#ere# her carria$e) U'!n thissi$nal% the y!un$est !( her #au$hters 'ut hersel( (!r"ar#) The t"!

$irls ha# been "his'erin$ t! each !ther #urin$ the "h!le visit% an#

the result !( it "as% that the y!un$est sh!ul# ta* ,r) in$ley "ith

havin$ 'r!&ise# !n his (irst c!&in$ int! the c!untry t! $ive a ball at

Nether(iel#)

0y#ia "as a st!ut% "ell-$r!"n $irl !( (i(teen% "ith a (ine

c!&'le*i!n an# $!!#-hu&!re# c!untenance/ a (av!rite "ith her &!ther%

"h!se a((ecti!n ha# br!u$ht her int! 'ublic at an early a$e) 6he ha#

hi$h ani&al s'irits% an# a s!rt !( natural sel(-c!nse9uence% "hich the

attenti!n !( the !((icers% t! "h!& her uncle;s $!!# #inners an# her

!"n easy &anners rec!&&en#e# her% ha# increase# int! assurance) 6he

"as very e9ual% there(!re% t! a##ress ,r) in$ley !n the subect !(

the ball% an# abru'tly re&in#e# hi& !( his 'r!&ise/ a##in$% that it

"!ul# be the &!st sha&e(ul thin$ in the "!rl# i( he #i# n!t ee' it)

His ans"er t! this su##en attac "as #eli$ht(ul t! her &!ther;s ear-

+I a& 'er(ectly rea#y% I assure y!u% t! ee' &y en$a$e&ent/ an# "hen

y!ur sister is rec!vere#% y!u shall% i( y!u 'lease% na&e the very

#ay !( the ball) ut y!u "!ul# n!t "ish t! be #ancin$ "hile she is

ill)+

0y#ia #eclare# hersel( satis(ie#) +4h5 yes- it "!ul# be &uch

better t! "ait till Jane "as "ell% an# by that ti&e &!st lielyCa'tain Carter "!ul# be at ,eryt!n a$ain) An# "hen y!u have $iven y!ur

ball%+ she a##e#% +I shall insist !n their $ivin$ !ne als!) I shall

tell C!l!nel >!rster it "ill be 9uite a sha&e i( he #!es n!t)+

,rs) ennet an# her #au$hters then #e'arte#% an# Eliabeth

returne# instantly t! Jane% leavin$ her !"n an# her relati!ns;

behavi!r t! the re&ars !( the t"! la#ies an# ,r) Darcy/ the latter !(

"h!&% h!"ever% c!ul# n!t be 'revaile# !n t! !in in their censure !(

her% in s'ite !( all ,iss in$ley;s "itticis&s !n (ine eyes)

CHAPTER:B

CHAPTER B-

THE #ay 'asse# &uch as the #ay be(!re ha# #!ne) ,rs) Hurst an#


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,iss in$ley ha# s'ent s!&e h!urs !( the &!rnin$ "ith the invali#% "h!

c!ntinue#% th!u$h sl!"ly% t! &en#/ an# in the evenin$ Eliabeth !ine#

their 'arty in the #ra"in$-r!!&) The l!!-table% h!"ever% #i# n!t

a''ear) ,r) Darcy "as "ritin$% an# ,iss in$ley% seate# near hi&%

"as "atchin$ the 'r!$ress !( his letter an# re'eate#ly callin$ !(( his

attenti!n by &essa$es t! his sister) ,r) Hurst an# ,r) in$ley "ere at

'i9uet% an# ,rs) Hurst "as !bservin$ their $a&e)Eliabeth t!! u' s!&e nee#le"!r% an# "as su((iciently a&use# in

atten#in$ t! "hat 'asse# bet"een Darcy an# his c!&'ani!n) The

'er'etual c!&&en#ati!ns !( the la#y% either !n his han#-"ritin$% !r !n

the evenness !( his lines% !r !n the len$th !( his letter% "ith the

'er(ect unc!ncern "ith "hich her 'raises "ere receive#% (!r&e# a

curi!us #ial!$ue% an# "as e*actly in unis!n "ith her !'ini!n !( each)

+H!" #eli$hte# ,iss Darcy "ill be t! receive such a letter5+

He &a#e n! ans"er)

+2!u "rite unc!&&!nly (ast)+

+2!u are &istaen) I "rite rather sl!"ly)+

+H!" &any letters y!u &ust have !ccasi!n t! "rite in the c!urse !( ayear5 0etters !( business% t!!5 H!" !#i!us I sh!ul# thin the&5+

+It is (!rtunate% then% that they (all t! &y l!t instea# !( t!

y!urs)+

+Pray tell y!ur sister that I l!n$ t! see her)+

+I have alrea#y t!l# her s! !nce% by y!ur #esire)+

+I a& a(rai# y!u #! n!t lie y!ur 'en) 0et &e &en# it (!r y!u) I

&en# 'ens re&arably "ell)+

+Than y!u- but I al"ays &en# &y !"n)+

+H!" can y!u c!ntrive t! "rite s! even.+

He "as silent)

+Tell y!ur sister I a& #eli$hte# t! hear !( her i&'r!ve&ent !n the

har'/ an# 'ray let her n!" that I a& 9uite in ra'tures "ith her

beauti(ul little #esi$n (!r a table% an# I thin it in(initely

su'eri!r t! ,iss ?rantley;s)+

+ill y!u $ive &e leave t! #e(er y!ur ra'tures till I "rite a$ain.

At 'resent I have n!t r!!& t! #! the& ustice)+

+4h5 it is !( n! c!nse9uence) I shall see her in January) ut #! y!u

al"ays "rite such char&in$ l!n$ letters t! her% ,r) Darcy.+

+They are $enerally l!n$/ but "hether al"ays char&in$ it is n!t

(!r &e t! #eter&ine)+

+It is a rule "ith &e% that a 'ers!n "h! can "rite a l!n$ letter"ith ease% cann!t "rite ill)+

+That "ill n!t #! (!r a c!&'li&ent t! Darcy% Car!line%+ crie# her

br!ther- +because he #!es n!t "rite "ith ease) He stu#ies t!! &uch (!r

"!r#s !( (!ur syllables) D! n!t y!u% Darcy.+

+,y style !( "ritin$ is very #i((erent (r!& y!urs)+

+4h5+ crie# ,iss in$ley% +Charles "rites in the &!st careless "ay

i&a$inable) He leaves !ut hal( his "!r#s% an# bl!ts the rest)+

+,y i#eas (l!" s! ra'i#ly that I have n!t ti&e t! e*'ress the&- by

"hich &eans &y letters s!&eti&es c!nvey n! i#eas at all t! &y

c!rres'!n#ents)+

+2!ur hu&ility% ,r) in$ley%+ sai# Eliabeth% +&ust #isar& re'r!!()++N!thin$ is &!re #eceit(ul%+ sai# Darcy% +than the a''earance !(

hu&ility) It is !(ten !nly carelessness !( !'ini!n% an# s!&eti&es an


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in#irect b!ast)+

+An# "hich !( the t"! #! y!u call &y little recent 'iece !(

&!#esty.+

+The in#irect b!ast/ (!r y!u are really 'r!u# !( y!ur #e(ects in

"ritin$% because y!u c!nsi#er the& as 'r!cee#in$ (r!& a ra'i#ity !(

th!u$ht an# carelessness !( e*ecuti!n% "hich% i( n!t esti&able% y!u

thin at least hi$hly interestin$) The '!"er !( #!in$ anythin$ "ith9uicness is al"ays &uch 'rie# by the '!ssess!r% an# !(ten "ith!ut

any attenti!n t! the i&'er(ecti!n !( the 'er(!r&ance) hen y!u t!l#

,rs) ennet this &!rnin$% that i( y!u ever res!lve# !n 9uittin$

Nether(iel# y!u sh!ul# be $!ne in (ive &inutes% y!u &eant it t! be a

s!rt !( 'ane$yric !( c!&'li&ent t! y!ursel(- an# yet "hat is there

s! very lau#able in a 'reci'itance "hich &ust leave very necessary

business un#!ne% an# can be !( n! real a#vanta$e t! y!ursel( !r any

!ne else.+

+Nay%+ crie# in$ley% +this is t!! &uch% t! re&e&ber at ni$ht all

the (!!lish thin$s that "ere sai# in the &!rnin$) An# yet% u'!n &y

h!n!r% I believe# "hat I sai# !( &ysel( t! be true% an# I believe itat this &!&ent) At least% there(!re% I #i# n!t assu&e the character !(

nee#less 'reci'itance &erely t! sh!" !(( be(!re the la#ies)+

+I #are say y!u believe# it/ but I a& by n! &eans c!nvince# that y!u

"!ul# be $!ne "ith such celerity) 2!ur c!n#uct "!ul# be 9uite as

#e'en#ent !n chance as that !( any &an I n!"/ an# i(% as y!u "ere

&!untin$ y!ur h!rse% a (rien# "ere t! say% ;in$ley% y!u ha# better

stay till ne*t "ee%; y!u "!ul# 'r!bably #! it% y!u "!ul# 'r!bably n!t

$!- an# at an!ther "!r#% &i$ht stay a &!nth)+

+2!u have !nly 'r!ve# by this%+ crie# Eliabeth% +that ,r) in$ley

#i# n!t #! ustice t! his !"n #is'!siti!n) 2!u have sh!"n hi& !((

n!" &uch &!re than he #i# hi&sel()+

+I a& e*cee#in$ly $rati(ie#%+ sai# in$ley% +by y!ur c!nvertin$ "hat

&y (rien# says int! a c!&'li&ent !n the s"eetness !( &y te&'er) ut

I a& a(rai# y!u are $ivin$ it a turn "hich that $entle&an #i# by n!

&eans inten#/ (!r he "!ul# certainly thin the better !( &e% i(

un#er such a circu&stance I "ere t! $ive a (lat #enial% an# ri#e !((

as (ast as I c!ul#)+

+!ul# ,r) Darcy then c!nsi#er the rashness !( y!ur !ri$inal

intenti!n as at!ne# (!r by y!ur !bstinacy in a#herin$ t! it.+

+U'!n &y "!r#% I cann!t e*actly e*'lain the &atter/ Darcy &ust s'ea

(!r hi&sel()++2!u e*'ect &e t! acc!unt (!r !'ini!ns "hich y!u ch!!se t! call

&ine% but "hich I have never acn!"le#$e#) All!"in$ the case% h!"ever%

t! stan# acc!r#in$ t! y!ur re'resentati!n% y!u &ust re&e&ber% ,iss

ennet% that the (rien# "h! is su''!se# t! #esire his return t! the

h!use% an# the #elay !( his 'lan% has &erely #esire# it% ase# it

"ith!ut !((erin$ !ne ar$u&ent in (av!r !( its 'r!'riety)+

+T! yiel# rea#ily- easily- t! the 'ersuasi!n !( a (rien# is n! &erit

"ith y!u)+

+T! yiel# "ith!ut c!nvicti!n is n! c!&'li&ent t! the un#erstan#in$

!( either)+

+2!u a''ear t! &e% ,r) Darcy% t! all!" n!thin$ (!r the in(luence!( (rien#shi' an# a((ecti!n) A re$ar# (!r the re9uester "!ul# !(ten

&ae !ne rea#ily yiel# t! a re9uest% "ith!ut "aitin$ (!r ar$u&ents


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t! reas!n !ne int! it) I a& n!t 'articularly s'eain$ !( such a case

as y!u have su''!se# ab!ut ,r) in$ley) e &ay as "ell "ait%

'erha's% till the circu&stance !ccurs be(!re "e #iscuss the #iscreti!n

!( his behavi!r thereu'!n) ut in $eneral an# !r#inary cases bet"een

(rien# an# (rien#% "here !ne !( the& is #esire# by the !ther t! chan$e

a res!luti!n !( n! very $reat &!&ent% sh!ul# y!u thin ill !( that

'ers!n (!r c!&'lyin$ "ith the #esire% "ith!ut "aitin$ t! be ar$ue#int! it.+

+ill it n!t be a#visable% be(!re "e 'r!cee# !n this subect% t!

arran$e "ith rather &!re 'recisi!n the #e$ree !( i&'!rtance "hich is

t! a''ertain t! this re9uest% as "ell as the #e$ree !( inti&acy

subsistin$ bet"een the 'arties.+

+y all &eans%+ crie# in$ley/ +let us hear all the 'articulars% n!t

(!r$ettin$ their c!&'arative hei$ht an# sie/ (!r that "ill have

&!re "ei$ht in the ar$u&ent% ,iss ennet% than y!u &ay be a"are !()

I assure y!u% that i( Darcy "ere n!t such a $reat tall (ell!"% in

c!&'aris!n "ith &ysel(% I sh!ul# n!t 'ay hi& hal( s! &uch #e(erence) I

#eclare I #! n!t n!" a &!re a"(ul !bect than Darcy% !n 'articular!ccasi!ns% an# in 'articular 'laces/ at his !"n h!use es'ecially%

an# !( a 6un#ay evenin$% "hen he has n!thin$ t! #!)+

,r) Darcy s&ile#/ but Eliabeth th!u$ht she c!ul# 'erceive that he

"as rather !((en#e#% an# there(!re chece# her lau$h) ,iss in$ley

"ar&ly resente# the in#i$nity he ha# receive#% in an e*'!stulati!n

"ith her br!ther (!r talin$ such n!nsense)

+I see y!ur #esi$n% in$ley%+ sai# his (rien#)- +2!u #islie an

ar$u&ent% an# "ant t! silence this)+

+Perha's I #!) Ar$u&ents are t!! &uch lie #is'utes) I( y!u an# ,iss

ennet "ill #e(er y!urs till I a& !ut !( the r!!&% I shall be very

than(ul/ an# then y!u &ay say "hatever y!u lie !( &e)+

+hat y!u as%+ sai# Eliabeth% +is n! sacri(ice !n &y si#e/ an# ,r)

Darcy ha# &uch better (inish his letter)+

,r) Darcy t!! her a#vice% an# #i# (inish his letter)

hen that business "as !ver% he a''lie# t! ,iss in$ley an#

Eliabeth (!r the in#ul$ence !( s!&e &usic) ,iss in$ley &!ve# "ith

alacrity t! the 'ian!(!rte/ an#% a(ter a '!lite re9uest that Eliabeth

"!ul# lea# the "ay% "hich the !ther as '!litely an# &!re earnestly

ne$ative#% she seate# hersel()

,rs) Hurst san$ "ith her sister% an# "hile they "ere thus

e&'l!ye#% Eliabeth c!ul# n!t hel' !bservin$% as she turne# !vers!&e &usic-b!!s that lay !n the instru&ent% h!" (re9uently ,r)

Darcy;s eyes "ere (i*e# !n her) 6he har#ly ne" h!" t! su''!se that

she c!ul# be an !bect !( a#&irati!n t! s! $reat a &an/ an# yet that

he sh!ul# l!! at her because he #islie# her% "as still &!re stran$e)

6he c!ul# !nly i&a$ine h!"ever at last% that she #re" his n!tice

because there "as a s!&ethin$ ab!ut her &!re "r!n$ an#

re'rehensible% acc!r#in$ t! his i#eas !( ri$ht% than in any !ther

'ers!n 'resent) The su''!siti!n #i# n!t 'ain her) 6he lie# hi& t!!

little t! care (!r his a''r!bati!n)

A(ter 'layin$ s!&e Italian s!n$s% ,iss in$ley varie# the char& by a

lively 6c!tch air/ an# s!!n a(ter"ar#s ,r) Darcy% #ra"in$ nearEliabeth% sai# t! her-

+D! n!t y!u (eel a $reat inclinat

Documents

Austen - Pride and Prejudice