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Pride & Prejudice – page 295

Pride and Prejudice

“You shall hear thenbut prepare yourself for

something very dreadful. The first time of my ever

seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at

a balland at this ball, what do you think he did? He

danced only four dances! I am sorry to pain you, but so

it was. He danced only four dances, though gentlemen

were scarce; and, to my certain knowledge, more than

one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner.

Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact.”

“I had not at that time the honour of knowing any

lady in the assembly beyond my own party.”

“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a

ball-room. Well, Colonel Fitzwilliam, what do I play

next? My fingers wait your orders.”

“Perhaps,” said Darcy, “I should have judged better,

had I sought an introduction; but I am ill-qualified to

recommend myself to strangers.”

“Shall we ask your cousin the reason of this?” said

Elizabeth, still addressing Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Shall

we ask him why a man of sense and education, and who

has lived in the world, is ill-qualified to recommend

himself to strangers?”

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