Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 161 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 161

Pride and Prejudice

He made no answer, and they were again silent till

they had gone down the dance, when he asked her if she

and her sisters did not very often walk to Meryton. She

answered in the affirmative, and, unable to resist the

temptation, added, “When you met us there the other

day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance.”

The effect was immediate. A deeper shade of hauteur

overspread his features, but he said not a word,

and Elizabeth, though blaming herself for her own

weakness, could not go on. At length Darcy spoke,

and in a constrained manner said, “Mr. Wickham is

blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his

making friendswhether he may be equally capable of

retaining them, is less certain.”

“He has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship,”

replied Elizabeth with emphasis, “and in a manner

which he is likely to suffer from all his life.”

Darcy made no answer, and seemed desirous of

changing the subject. At that moment, Sir William

Lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass through

the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving

Mr. Darcy, he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy

to compliment him on his dancing and his partner.

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