Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 293 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 293

Pride and Prejudice

more; and though Mrs. Collins has no instrument, she

is very welcome, as I have often told her, to come

to Rosings every day, and play on the pianoforte in

Mrs. Jenkinson’s room. She would be in nobody’s way,

you know, in that part of the house.”

Mr. Darcy looked a little ashamed of his aunt’s

ill-breeding, and made no answer.

When coffee was over, Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded

Elizabeth of having promised to play to him; and she

sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair

near her. Lady Catherine listened to half a song, and

then talked, as before, to her other nephew; till the

latter walked away from her, and making with his usual

deliberation towards the pianoforte stationed himself

so as to command a full view of the fair performer’s

countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at

the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch

smile, and said:

“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in

all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed though

your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness

about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will

of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to

intimidate me.”

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