“Bingley, you just expressed my thoughts exactly,” Mr Darcy declared. “I would certainly wish my sister to be pursued for her excellent qualities, out of affection and admiration, than for her dowry and situation in life.”
“But you would certainly not want your sister to marry someone beneath her — someone with an inferior fortune and fewer connections,” Mrs Hurst insisted.
“I would certainly not want my sister to marry someone below her in character and education. A learned man, who strives to improve himself, who loves, admires, and respects a woman, is worth much more than one who is privileged but lacks the strength or the character to grow.”
“That all sounds lovely, Mr Darcy, but we all know you are fastidious and selective regarding the people around you,” Miss Bingley said. “You hardly ever dance, you hardly ever speak to anyone, you often criticise a woman’s appearance and manners. Let us be honest — we all know what you said about Miss Eliza and how you refused to dance with her.”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks and neck burning, Jane appeared to be holding her breath, and Mr Bingley’s eyes widened in shock; Mr Darcy looked disconcerted too, but he replied in a strangely composed tone.
“I have already apologised to Miss Elizabeth for my rude statement. It was thoughtless — and completely untrue, for that matter. I remember calling her tolerable without even looking at her. Since I have had the pleasure of coming to know her better, I have found her to be one of the most handsome young ladiesof my acquaintance and certainly one with whom I have many things in common. One being that I am a gentleman and she is a gentleman’s daughter. The second that we both love to read, and the third that we both like cats. And I hope she will agree to dance with me when the next opportunity arises.”
Such a statement seemed to amaze the Bingley sisters as much as Elizabeth. Mr Darcy was still smiling, and nervous thrills made her quiver. Did he just declare his admiration for her? And his intention to dance? What could it possibly mean? It must have been only an attempt to argue with Miss Bingley, which Elizabeth found almost as offensive as his remark that she was tolerable. Pretending a positive opinion and admiration that you did not really feel, simply to win a debate, was as appalling as giving offence without any sound reason.
“You may have the opportunity to dance soon, Darcy, as I plan to host a ball in about a fortnight,” Mr Bingley said. “I already know Caroline and Louisa disapprove, but I am determined to do it.”
“Do not worry, Mr Darcy, I shall not take your word in earnest,” Elizabeth uttered with a large smile. “I certainly do not expect you to dance with me.”
“I hope you will, Miss Elizabeth, as I have every intention of asking you. Unless you would find it too unpleasant to accept, that is. Fortunately, you have a little more time to decide,” he concluded, while Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst gazed at them, their mouths hanging open in a most unladylike manner.
The visit lasted another half an hour, then Elizabeth and Jane returned to Longbourn. Mr Bingley offered to accompany them; Mr Darcy only said goodbye. Elizabeth felt more bewildered and unsettled by Mr Darcy than any other man she had ever known; he was a riddle she could not hope to solve.
When they arrived at Longbourn, Mr Bingley only helped them out but did not enter the house. Inside, Lydia and Kitty were telling their mother about the regiment that had recently arrived in Meryton, while Mr Bennet expected to receive his cousin, Mr Collins.
