Pride and Prejudice | Page 4

forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being
unworthy to be compared with his friend.
Mr. Bingley had soon made himself acquainted with all the principal
people in the room; he was lively and unreserved, danced every dance,
was angry that the ball closed so early, and talked of giving one himself
at Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must speak for themselves. What
a contrast between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy danced only once
with Mrs. Hurst and once with Miss Bingley, declined being introduced
to any other lady, and spent the rest of the evening in walking about the
room, speaking occasionally to one of his own party. His character was
decided. He was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world, and
everybody hoped that he would never come there again. Amongst the
most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general
behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having
slighted one of her daughters.
Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit

down for two dances; and during part of that time, Mr. Darcy had been
standing near enough for her to hear a conversation between him and
Mr. Bingley, who came from the dance for a few minutes, to press his
friend to join it.
"Come, Darcy," said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you
standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better
dance."
"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly
acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be
insupportable. 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 would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Mr. Bingley, "for a
kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in
my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see
uncommonly pretty."
"YOU are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Mr.
Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
"Oh! She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one
of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I
dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."
"Which do you mean?" and turning round he looked for a moment at
Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said:
"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt ME; I am in no
humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are
slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy
her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."
Mr. Bingley followed his advice. Mr. Darcy walked off; and Elizabeth
remained with no very cordial feelings toward him. She told the story,
however, with great spirit among her friends; for she had a lively,
playful disposition, which delighted in anything ridiculous.

The evening altogether passed off pleasantly to the whole family. Mrs.
Bennet had seen her eldest daughter much admired by the Netherfield
party. Mr. Bingley had danced with her twice, and she had been
distinguished by his sisters. Jane was as much gratified by this as her
mother could be, though in a quieter way. Elizabeth felt Jane's pleasure.
Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most
accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had
been fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that
they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. They returned, therefore, in
good spirits to Longbourn, the village where they lived, and of which
they were the principal inhabitants. They found Mr. Bennet still up.
With a book he was regardless of time; and on the present occasion he
had a good deal of curiosity as to the events of an evening which had
raised such splendid expectations. He had rather hoped that his wife's
views on the stranger would be disappointed; but he soon found out
that he had a different story to hear.
"Oh! my dear Mr. Bennet," as she entered the room, "we have had a
most delightful evening, a most excellent ball. I wish you had been
there. Jane was so admired, nothing could be like it. Everybody said
how well she looked; and Mr. Bingley thought her quite beautiful, and
danced with her twice! Only think of THAT, my dear; he actually
danced with her twice! and she was the only creature in the room that
he asked a second time. First of all, he asked Miss Lucas. I was so
vexed to see him stand up with