“Both,” replied Elizabeth with an arched eyebrow, “for I have always seen a great similarity in the turn of our minds. We are each of an unsocial, taciturn disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all theéclatof a proverb.”
“This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure,” said he. “How near it may be tomine, I cannot pretend to say.Youthink it a faithful portrait undoubtedly.”
“I have not been in company enough with you to know how accurate it is.”
He made no answer, and they were again silent until they had gone down the line and returned to stand opposite one another. “Do you and your sisters very often walk into Meryton?”
“We do,” Elizabeth responded and then added, “When you saw us there the other day, we had just been forming some new acquaintances, one of them rather unfortunate.”
The effect was immediate. A look of anger overspread his features, but he said not a word. Darcy replayed what she said and then heard the wordunfortunate. Could it be Miss Elizabeth with her intelligence had been able to see past Wickham’s charming façade?
Eventually and in a constrained manner Darcy spoke. “If you refer to Mr. Wickham, you should be aware he is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.”
“He told a ratherunbelievabletale of woe of how he lost your friendship,” averred Elizabeth, “my father and I found it wholly incredible.”
Darcy made no answer, as he reflected on the fact he had indeed been correct in his assumption. Wickham had not fooled Elizabeth Bennet. Before he could speak again, Sir William Lucas was about to pass through the set to the other side of the room. However, on seeing Mr. Darcy, he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy and began to compliment Darcy on his dancing and his partner.
“I have been most highly gratified indeed, my Dear Sir. Such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Eliza,” he looked pointedly at her sister and Mr. Bingley, “shall take place. What congratulations will then flow! But let me not interrupt you, Sir. You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching converse of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.”
The latter part of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy. Sir William’s allusion to his friend seemed to strike him forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and Jane, who were dancing up the line from him and Miss Elizabeth.
Shortly after Sir William moved on, Darcy turned to his partner, “Sir William’s interruption has made me forget our previous conversation.”
“The subject of our discourse may be better left for a private location. Sir William could not have interrupted us at a better juncture as we both forgot where we were. We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine.”
“What think you of books?” Darcy offered smilingly.
“I love books. However, it is not a subject for a ball. Besides, I am sure we have never read the same books but if we have, it was certainly not with the same feelings.”
“If that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject. We may compare our opposing opinions.”
“At another time possibly, but not when my head is full of music and dancing,” Elizabeth riposted.
“I see your younger sister seems pleased with her fiancé,” Darcy inclined his head to where Mary and the newest Bennet were dancing. “Did I hear he took the name Bennet?”
“He did…” The dance separated them again and when they came back Elizabeth explained in a few words how the change had come about.
“My Aunt Catherine agreed he should change his name, extraordinary.”
“Mentioning your aunt, I should wish you happy on your engagement to Miss de Bourgh.”
If anything, his face showed more anger than when she had alluded to Mr. Wickham. “Why would you think me engaged to my cousin or any other? I am not now, nor have I ever been betrothed to anyone.”
“In that case, I beg your pardon, my cousin, soon-to-be brother, had it from your aunt and informed us.” Seeing this was not a subject which pleased Mr. Darcy she changed to another. “At Netherfield Park, you told us about your implacable resentment against those who cross you. I assume you never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?”
“As far as I know, I do not. What others may say, I cannot control,” Darcy responded tightly.
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion to be secure of judging properly at first.”
“May I ask to what these questions tend?”
“I am merely attempting to sketch your character,” Elizabeth smiled to shake off her gravity. “I am trying to make it out.”
“And what is your success?”
“I believe you an honourable man, but you are not an easy character to sketch.”
“It pleases me you can tell I am honourable,” Darcy replied gravely. “You will let me know when you have come to a conclusion regarding my character?”
