Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 159 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 159

Pride and Prejudice

When the dancing recommenced, however, and

Darcy approached to claim her hand, Charlotte could

not help cautioning her in a whisper, not to be a

simpleton, and allow her fancy for Wickham to make

her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a man ten times his

consequence. Elizabeth made no answer, and took her

place in the set, amazed at the dignity to which she was

arrived in being allowed to stand opposite to Mr. Darcy,

and reading in her neighbours’ looks, their equal

amazement in beholding it. They stood for some time

without speaking a word; and she began to imagine that

their silence was to last through the two dances, and at

first was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying

that it would be the greater punishment to her partner

to oblige him to talk, she made some slight observation

on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. After

a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second

time with:“It is your turn to say something now,

Mr. Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to

make some sort of remark on the size of the room, or

the number of couples.”

He smiled, and assured her that whatever she

wished him to say should be said.

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