|
Elizabeth: I love this dance.
Darcy: Indeed. Most
invigorating.
Elizabeth: It is
your turn to say something, Mr. Darcy. I talked about
the dance. Now you ought to remark on the size of the
room or the number of couples.
Darcy: I'm perfectly happy to oblige. Please
advise me of what you would like most to hear?
Elizabeth: That reply will do for present. Perhaps
by and by I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter
than public ones. For now, we may remain silent.
Darcy: Do you talk as a rule while dancing?
Elizabeth: No. No, I prefer to be unsociable and
taciturn. Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don't you
think?
Darcy: Tell me, do you and your sisters very often
walk to Meryton?
Elizabeth: Yes, we often walk to Meryton. It's a
great opportunity to meet new people. In fact when you
met us, we'd just had the pleasure of forming a new
acquaintance.
Darcy: Mr. Wickham's
blessed with such happy manners, he's
sure of making friends. Whether he's capable of
retaining them is less certain.
Elizabeth: He's been so unfortunate as to lose your
friendship. And I dare say that is an irreversible
event?
Darcy: It is. Why do you ask such a question?
Elizabeth: To
make out your character, Mr. Darcy.
Darcy: And what have you discovered?
Elizabeth: Very little. I hear such different
accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.
Darcy: I hope to afford you more clarity in the
future. |
