Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (most interesting books to read .txt) 📖

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are mistaken. You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there is not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in town, which you must acknowledge to be true.

Mrs. Bennet.

Certainly, my dear, nobody said there was—but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families.

[As all become embarrassed at this speech, Bingley comes to the rescue.]

Bingley.

Yes, there are many fine estates hereabout. Can you see Sir William Lucas' place from the garden? I am not quite sure I have placed it.

Mrs. Bennet.

Oh, yes, there is a fine view of the chimneys from the terrace. Sir William is our nearest neighbour. Such an agreeable man—so genteel, and so easy—— [Rising, she goes toward the glass doors.] Come, Jane, we must show Mr. Bingley Sir William's chimneys.

[Mrs. Bennet, Bingley, and Jane go out upon the terrace.]

Elizabeth.

[Smiling mischievously.] Would not you also like to see the chimneys, Mr. Darcy?

Darcy.

Thank you. Like yourself, I prefer people to places.

Elizabeth.

Did I say that?

Darcy.

Not precisely. But I have drawn that conclusion.

Elizabeth.

[Gathering her sewing materials, begins to embroider.] Well, I can laugh at people better than places, and I dearly love a laugh.

Darcy.

Isn't that rather a dangerous trait, Miss Bennet? The wisest and the best of men may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.

Elizabeth.

Certainly. But I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. [Mischievously.] But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without.

Darcy.

Perhaps that is not possible for anyone. But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule.

Elizabeth.

And in your list of weaknesses do you include such faults as vanity and pride, for instance?

Darcy.

Yes, vanity is a weakness, indeed, but pride, where there is a real superiority of mind—pride will be always under good regulation.

Elizabeth.

I am perfectly convinced, Mr. Darcy, that you have no defect.

Darcy.

I have made no such pretension, Miss Bennet. I have faults enough. My temper I dare not vouch for. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others against myself. My good opinion once lost is lost forever.

Elizabeth.

That is a failing, indeed. Implacable resentment is a shade in a character. But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.

Darcy.

There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil—a natural defect which not even the best education can overcome.

Elizabeth.

And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody.

Darcy.

[Smiling.] And yours to wilfully misunderstand them.

[Voices are heard outside. Elizabeth applies herself to her embroidery. Bingley, Jane, and Mrs. Bennet return from the terrace.]

Bingley.

The surrounding country is really charming, Mrs. Bennet.

Mrs. Bennet.

We think so. But you must give us a ball at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley, and then you will see that some of the people who live here are worth knowing.

Elizabeth.

[Distressed.] Oh, mamma!

Jane.

Mamma!

Bingley.

Certainly, Mrs. Bennet. I had already decided upon it. I told Mr. Darcy only yesterday that as soon as my sister, Miss Bingley, arrived, and Nicholas could make white soup enough, I should send out my cards. Did not I, Darcy?

Darcy.

[Very stiffly.] I believe you did.

Mrs. Bennet.

Well, that is vastly good in you, Mr. Bingley; and then, perhaps, your friend may change his mind about the country. [To Darcy.] You didn't come to admire Sir William's chimneys, Mr. Darcy.

Darcy.

I was admiring your daughter's work, Madam.

Mrs. Bennet.

Oh, you should see Jane's work. Lizzy is all for books, like her father. She is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else. Jane, show your embroidered parrot to Mr. Bingley.

Jane.

I do not think Mr. Bingley would be interested, ma'am.

Bingley.

[Eagerly.] Oh, indeed, I should, Miss Bennet; I am very much interested in parrots.—Pray show it to me.

Mrs. Bennet.

Yes, and the new hand-screen. I will find it for you.

[All three withdraw, leaving Elizabeth and Darcy together.]

Darcy.

And so you are a great reader and take no pleasure in anything else?

Elizabeth.

Mamma does not understand. I deserve neither such praise nor such censure. I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things.

Darcy.

So I should have thought.

Bingley.

[Looking at the screen which he holds in his hand.]

It is amazing to me how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they are; to think how you all paint tables and cover screens and net purses. It is quite wonderful.

Elizabeth.

Do you agree with your friend, Mr. Darcy?

Darcy.

His list of the common extent of accomplishments has too much truth. But I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen young ladies in the whole range of my acquaintance that are really accomplished.

Elizabeth.

Then you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished woman.

Darcy.

Perhaps. To deserve the word, a woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages. She must also possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking—the tone of her voice—her address and expression, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial—[With a little bow to Elizabeth.] in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.

Elizabeth.

[Laughing.] I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women! I rather wonder at your knowing any.

Harris.

[Enters and announces.] Colonel Forster and Mr. Wickham.

[The gentlemen enter, smiling.]

Wickham.

Here I am again, Mrs. Bennet. I found that Colonel Forster had a message for the young ladies.

Mrs. Bennet.

I am delighted to see you. You are just in time to meet our new neighbours. [Introducing the gentlemen.] Colonel Forster, Mr. Wickham—Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy.

[As the gentlemen enter, Mr. Darcy has his back turned to them in conversation with Elizabeth. At the sound of Wickham's voice he starts and turns so that he faces the latter just in time for the introduction. At sight of Darcy, Wickham starts and is greatly confused. Darcy stiffens and scarcely nods when Wickham is introduced. The whole situation is so marked that everyone looks on with an astonishment to which Mrs. Bennet gives audible expression.]

Mrs. Bennet.

Well, well! If ever there was a proud, stiff man——

Jane.

[In a dismayed whisper.] Mamma!

Bingley.

[Looking distressed, speaks hurriedly.] Oh, Mrs. Bennet, I'm sorry that we cannot wait for Mr. Bennet. We—we—were on the way to meet my steward—and we are already late for the appointment.

Mrs. Bennet.

[Effusively.] I am very sorry you must go, Mr. Bingley. But I hope you will come again. We must engage you soon for dinner.

Bingley.

[In an absent and worried way.] It will be a pleasure.

[Then with bows, the party moves toward the door.]

Mrs. Bennet.

[Bustling.] Your best way to the paddock is by the terrace.

[The gentlemen have almost reached the glass doors when Mr. Collins comes in excitedly, putting himself directly in the way of Bingley and Darcy.]

Mr. Collins.

My dear Miss Elizabeth, I have this moment found out by a singular accident that there is now in this room a near relation of my patroness Lady Catherine de Bourg. Will you present me?

[He looks enquiringly from one to the other of the young men.]

Elizabeth.

Mr. Bingley, allow me to present my cousin, Mr. Collins—Mr. Darcy—Mr. Collins.

Mr. Collins.

[Taking almost no notice of Mr. Bingley, he greets Mr. Darcy with servile effusion.] My dear sir—I trust you will pardon me for not having paid my respects before. My total ignorance of your presence here must plead my apology. [Looking severely about him at the ladies.] I was not informed of it. Is there any message, sir, which I could take from you to my honoured patroness—your aunt, or to your fair cousin—Miss de Bourg?

Darcy.

[Stiffly.] Thank you, I will not trouble you so far.

Mr. Collins.

It would be no trouble—but an honour and a privilege.

Darcy.

[Disgusted, turns from him to Bingley.] We are already very late, Bingley.

Bingley.

Yes,—we have no time to lose.

[Darcy and Bingley give passing bows and go out by the glass doors. Mr. Collins keeps by Darcy's side and, as they pass out of sight, is seen still talking to him, to his evident annoyance. All the time that the party is bidding good-bye to Bingley and Darcy, Wickham has been moodily standing by the fireplace. Elizabeth has evidently been concerned about him, for throughout the foregoing interview with Mr. Collins, she has looked at Wickham from time to time.]

Hill.

[Enters at the door leading to the hall.] May I speak to you, Madam?

Mrs. Bennet.

Yes, Hill, yes. [To the gentlemen.] Excuse me for a moment. I will return directly. [Mrs. Bennet and Hill go out.]

Colonel Forster.

Oh, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth! Your aunt, Mrs. Phillips, has sent word by me that her card-party is to be on Wednesday. She hopes you will surely be there.

Elizabeth.

[In a pre-occupied way, looking towards Wickham.] Oh, yes, we shall go.

Colonel Forster.

[As he passes the piano, and looking at some music which is on the rack.] Ah! Here is the song you have promised to sing to me. Pray sing it now, Miss Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

Really, Colonel Forster, you must excuse me for to-day. Jane will play for you, instead.

Jane.

Indeed, I cannot, Lizzy.

Elizabeth.

[Looking meaningly at her.] Please, Jane.

Colonel Forster.

Oh, do, I beg—Miss Bennet.

[All through the following interview between Elizabeth and Wickham, the tinkle of the instrument is heard. During their conversation Jane's back is turned—also Colonel Forster's as he looks over her music—so that Elizabeth and Wickham are practically alone. Elizabeth returns to her embroidery. There is an awkward pause for a moment. Wickham finally breaks it.]

Wickham.

How long has Mr. Darcy been in Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth?

Elizabeth.

Only for a very short time, I believe. He comes from Derbyshire, I understand, and has a very large property there.

Wickham.

Yes, his estate is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. I am well informed on this head—— [Hesitates.] I have been connected with Mr. Darcy's family in a particular manner since my infancy.

Elizabeth.

[Surprised.] Indeed?

Wickham.

You may well be surprised, Miss Elizabeth, at this assertion after seeing the very cold manner of our meeting just now. [After a pause.] Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?

Elizabeth.

No. Though I have heard of him, I met him for the first time to-day, but even on this short acquaintance I should take him to be an ill-tempered man.

Wickham.

[As if he had come to a sudden decision.] Miss Elizabeth, you have been a witness of Mr. Darcy's treatment of me to-day, and therefore I feel that I must, for my own justification, acquaint you with the facts of my past connection with him.

Elizabeth.

I shall respect your confidence, Mr. Wickham.

Wickham.

I am sure of it. [After a short pause.] Mr. Darcy and I were born in the same parish. My own father, who, to be frank, was steward of the Darcy estates,