Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 45 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 45

Pride and Prejudice

“Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed

myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing

Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?”

“With great energy; but it is always a subject which

makes a lady energetic.”

“You are severe on us.”

“It will be her turn soon to be teased,” said Miss

Lucas. “I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and

you know what follows.”

“You are a very strange creature by way of a

friend!always wanting me to play and sing before

anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a

musical turn, you would have been invaluable; but as

it is, I would really rather not sit down before those

who must be in the habit of hearing the very best

performers.” On Miss Lucas’s persevering, however, she

added, “Very well, if it must be so, it must.” And gravely

glancing at Mr. Darcy, “There is a fine old saying, which

everybody here is of course familiar with: ‘Keep your

breath to cool your porridge’; and I shall keep mine to

swell my song.”

Her performance was pleasing, though by no means

capital. After a song or two, and before she could reply

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