Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 71 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 71

Pride and Prejudice

half-a-dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance,

that are really accomplished.”

“Nor I, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley.

“Then,” observed Elizabeth, “you must comprehend

a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.”

“Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it.”

“Oh! certainly,” cried his faithful assistant, “no one

can be really esteemed accomplished who does not

greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman

must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing,

drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to

deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess

a certain something in her air and manner of walking,

the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or

the word will be but half-deserved.”

“All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all

this she must yet add something more substantial, in

the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six

accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your

knowing any.”