Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 22 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 22

JANE AUSTEN

was discovered to be proud; to be above his company,

and above being pleased; and not all his large estate

in Derbyshire could then save him from having a

most 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

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