Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 100 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 100

JANE AUSTEN

Elizabeth herself could be, and unconsciously closed his

book. He was directly invited to join their party, but

he declined it, observing that he could imagine but two

motives for their choosing to walk up and down the

room together, with either of which motives his joining

them would interfere. “What could he mean? She was

dying to know what could be his meaning?”and asked

Elizabeth whether she could at all understand him?

“Not at all,” was her answer; “but depend upon it,

he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of

disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.”

Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappoint-

ing Mr. Darcy in anything, and persevered therefore in

requiring an explanation of his two motives.

“I have not the smallest objection to explaining

them,” said he, as soon as she allowed him to speak.

“You either choose this method of passing the evening

because you are in each other’s confidence, and have

secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious

that your figures appear to the greatest advantage in

walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way,

and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit

by the fire.”