Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 92 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 92

JANE AUSTEN

She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the

question, with some surprise at her silence.

“Oh!” said she, “I heard you before, but I could

not immediately determine what to say in reply. You

wanted me, I know, to say ‘Yes,’ that you might have

the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight

in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating

a person of their premeditated contempt. I have,

therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not

want to dance a reel at alland now despise me if you

dare.”

“Indeed I do not dare.”

Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him,

was amazed at his gallantry; but there was a mixture

of sweetness and archness in her manner which made

it difficult for her to affront anybody; and Darcy had

never been so bewitched by any woman as he was

by her. He really believed, that were it not for the

inferiority of her connections, he should be in some

danger.

Miss Bingley saw, or suspected enough to be jealous;

and her great anxiety for the recovery of her dear friend

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