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Author's Note: After enjoying all your stories for nearly a year I have finally decided to post something of my own. I know this has been done a lot but this is my version of events from Darcy's point of view. I want to thank my sister for editing this and all my friends who encouraged me to do it. I hope you all enjoy it. I'm sure you will all recognize that several passages have been quoted directly from the book.

Prologue

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. It is also a truth, though only slightly acknowledged, that that wife can sometimes be very difficult to find.

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was one of the few who recognized this second truth. He was nearly eight and twenty and had been looking for his wife since he came of age. There was no lack of candidates, for Mr. Darcy owned a large estate in Derbyshire that gave him an annual income of more than ten thousand pounds. Adding to this attraction, he was possessed of a fine, tall person, handsome features, and a noble mien. These qualities ensured that eligible young ladies and their mothers were forever courting his attention. Even his Aunt Catherine de Bourgh was convinced he would marry his cousin Anne, a delusion he was unable to dissuade her from. In spite of all these possibilities, Darcy had yet to find the one woman he could love and respect.

When Mr. Darcy went into Hertfordshire with his friend Charles Bingley, the last thing he expected to find in that provincial and bucolic county was that woman. But he did.

Chapter 1

Between Darcy and Bingley there was a very steady friendship, in spite of a great opposition of character.--Bingley was endeared to Darcy by his easiness, openness, ductility of his temper, though no disposition could offer a greater contrast to his own, and though with his own he never appeared dissatisfied. On the strength of Darcy's regard Bingley had the firmest reliance, and of his judgement the highest opinion. In understanding Darcy was the superior. Bingley was by no means deficient, but Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well bred, were not inviting. In that respect his friend had greatly the advantage. Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offense.

Mr. Bingley had recently rented an estate in Hertfordshire. Shortly after taking possession he returned to London and immediately called on Darcy at his town house.

"Bingley," said Darcy in surprise as the former was shown into his study, "I thought you were in Hertfordshire enjoying your new estate."

"I was. I have come to convince you to join me there. I should like your opinion on improvements and such. My sisters Hurst are to come so we shan't lack for company."

Little did Bingley know that this was no inducement to Darcy. Miss Caroline Bingley was the worst of all the young ladies pursuing him and her sister Mrs. Hurst was almost as bad. But Darcy knew Bingley depended on him and could not disappoint him. He therefore said, with what he hoped sounded like enthusiasm,

"I would be delighted to accompany you to Netherfield Bingley. I hope I shall be of assistance."

"Excellent," replied Bingley. "My sisters shall be ready to depart on Thursday; will that suit you?"

"Yes, Thursday is fine. I shall call for you at seven."

After Bingley left, Darcy contemplated the situation with less than pleasure. What had he gotten himself into? A few weeks shooting in the country with Bingley would be enjoyable. But he would also have to make himself agreeable to Bingley's sisters and, worse, endure Miss Bingley trying to be agreeable to him.

Mr. Bingley's sisters were very fine ladies; not deficient in good humour when they were pleased, nor in the power of being agreeable when they chose it; but proud and conceited. They were rather handsome, had been educated in one of the first seminaries in town, had a fortune of twenty thousand pounds, were in the habit of spending more than they ought, and of associating with people of rank; and therefore thought well of themselves, and meanly of others. The respectability of their family was a circumstance more deeply impressed on their memories than that their brother's fortune and their own had been acquired by trade.

All this was very well but the sisters tended to flaunt it; especially in front of Darcy. Now he would have to endure several weeks residing in the same house with them. And the society in Hertfordshire was bound to be limited and would not offer much relief from their company. He would simply have to make the best of it. Perhaps he could avoid them by immersing himself in Netherfield's affairs and teaching Bingley how to be the master of an estate.

Chapter 2

The party departed as planned on Thursday. It was a journey of only 24 miles and they arrived at Netherfield in time for luncheon. Afterwards the ladies and Hurst retired to rest from the journey and Darcy and Bingley went out to tour the grounds and countryside.

Darcy was pleased with Netherfield. It was nothing to his own estate, Pemberley, but the prospect was fine, the gardens lovely, and the farms appeared to be profitable. He thought Bingley would be able to make something of it, with the proper guidance.

Tea was a quiet affair, the ladies still keeping to their rooms. Afterwards, Darcy went over Netherfield's accounts in order to explain them to Bingley later.

Dinner and the hours spent in the drawing room were tedious. Darcy tried to ignore Miss Bingley's constant attentions but it was difficult in such a small party without being rude. He went to bed exhausted from the effort with the prospect of many such evening to look forward to.

With the addition of shooting in the morning, the next day was spent in much the same manner. On Saturday morning, Darcy learnt of a diversion to their routine. It was not, however, one he was pleased about.

While they were all eating breakfast, Bingley said, "What a delightful time we shall all have at the ball this evening."

Startled, Darcy's head snapped up. "What ball?" he asked warily.

"The assembly ball in Meryton. Didn't I tell you about it, Darcy?"

"No, Bingley, you did not."

"One of my new neighbors, a delightful man, Sir William Lucas, invited me to it when I was first here. You will come, won't you Darcy?"

"Yes, Mr. Darcy," added Miss Bingley, "you must come. There will be no one worth talking to if you do not."

Darcy did not want to go. He disliked dancing and he was uncomfortable among strangers feeling he had nothing to say to them. And these strangers, the country people of Hertfordshire, would likely be beneath his notice. But, as Bingley's guest, it was his duty to attend with him.

"Of course I shall attend, Bingley. I am, after all, at your disposal."

"Excellent. You shall not regret it, Darcy."

Darcy already regretted it but Bingley's obvious excitement made him more agreeable to the idea.

When the Netherfield party arrived at the Meryton assembly rooms, everything was just as Darcy expected; a room full of country people with country manners. He could hear the whispers about them circling the room almost on the moment of their entrance.

Darcy did not like being under such close scrutiny and immediately put up a mask to hide his uneasiness. Bingley, on the other hand was obviously quite eager to meet all these people.

The party was soon approached by Sir William Lucas. Bingley greeted him enthusiastically and quickly engaged his daughter for the next two dances. Darcy asked Miss Bingley to dance. He did not want to but he did not know anyone else and propriety required him to dance at least a few sets.

After the two dances with Miss Bingley, Darcy spent his time walking about the edges of the room, occasionally speaking to Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst when they approached him, and watching Bingley. He eventually danced a second set, this time with Mrs. Hurst. He did not understand how Bingley could be so easy as to be already acquainted with all the principal people and to dance every dance.

Several hours into the evening, Bingley left his partner, a rather pretty girl whom Darcy noticed he was dancing with for the second time, and approached Darcy.

"Come, Darcy,' said he, "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."

"I certainly shall not, You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this; it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room, whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."

"I would not be so fastidious as you are," cried Bingley, "for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pretty girls in my life, as I have met this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty."

"You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room," said Darcy, looking at Bingley's partner.

"Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!"

Darcy smiled. Bingley was forever saying that about any number of young ladies.

"But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."

"Which do you mean?" and turning round, he looked for a moment at the girl. The young lady was about twenty with dark hair and dark eyes. She was pretty but nothing extraordinary. He looked at her long enough to catch her eye, and withdrawing his own coldly said, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting you time with me."

With a small shake of his head, Bingley followed this advise and Darcy returned to walking about the room.

Sometime later, Darcy noticed the girl again. She was speaking with Miss Lucas and both glanced at him several times. He felt himself pale slightly as he realized she must have overheard his remarks about her. He was puzzled by her behavior. Instead of being angry or hurt, as he would have expected, she appeared to find a great deal of amusement in the situation. For the rest of the evening, Darcy found his thoughts returning frequently to her.

"Well," said Bingley, "when they were all in the carriage on the way back to Netherfield, "was that not as I anticipated, a delightful evening?" No one responded so he continued himself. "I have never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in my life. Everyone was most kind and attentive. There was no formality or stiffness and I feel myself quite acquainted with the whole assembly. And Miss Bennet, there could not be an angel more beautiful."

"Miss Bennet?" questioned Darcy.

"The young lady whose sister you refused to dance with. Really, Darcy, did you not meet anyone?"

"No. I saw little beauty and no fashion and I felt not the smallest interest in anyone. Miss Bennet is pretty but she smiles too much."

"Nonsense," began Bingley, but his sister interrupted.

"Yes," she said, "but she is a sweet girl and I would not object to knowing more of her. Do you not agree, Louisa?"

"Oh yes," replied Mrs. Hurst, "a very sweet girl."

The conversation soon dwindled and Darcy found himself again thinking of Miss Bennet's sister.

Chapter 3

A few days after the assembly, Mrs. Bennet and her five daughters came to call at Netherfield. They had been with the ladies about ten minutes when Bingley discovered their presence. Anxious to see Miss Bennet again, Bingley persuaded Darcy that they should join the party in the morning room.

"Mrs. Bennet," said Bingley, "how wonderful to meet you and your lovely daughters again."

"My dear, Mr. Bingley," screeched Mrs. Bennet, " how are we ever to thank you and your sisters for you kind hospitality."

"Think nothing of it." replied Bingley. "Mrs. Bennet, I do not believe you have been introduced to my friend. May I present Mr. Darcy? Darcy, this is Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, Miss Catherine, and Miss Lydia."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, madam, and all your daughters."

"Mr. Darcy," replied Mrs. Bennet coldly as the girls all nodded. She then returned her attention to Bingley and Darcy seated himself a bit apart from the rest of the party and observed.

Mrs. Bennet carried on an excited monologue with Bingley about the splendors of Netherfield and the beauty of Miss Bennet, for whom she clearly intended Bingley. She was a very silly woman and at least her two eldest daughters seemed embarrassed by her effusions. Darcy was puzzled by her coldness towards himself but after witnessing her display was glad of it.

Miss Bennet, Bingley's angel, was conversing happily with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. her manners were open and engaging and her countenance showed her to be of a serene temperament. And being very pretty, she was precisely the type of young lady Bingley was forever falling in love with.

Miss Bennet was the prettiest of the five girls and Miss Mary was the plainest. She sat by herself absorbed in a book. Darcy wondered about the book; it was rather large and looked to be a religious tome, nothing like the novels his sister, Georgiana, liked to read. She must be a rather serious young lady.

Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia, the two youngest were whispering and giggling together. Miss Lydia could be no more than fifteen and Darcy wondered at her being out in society; Georgiana was at least a year older and she would not come out for another year at least. Both girls seemed to take after their mother and were very silly. And Miss Lydia was also loud and boisterous.

Then there was Miss Elizabeth, the young lady Darcy had refused to dance with at the assembly. He studied her carefully. His first impression of her had been correct; she was just tolerable. She had hardly a good feature in her face, he detected more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form, and her manners were not those of the fashionable world.

She was nominally involved in the conversation between Miss Bennet and Bingley's sisters. She seemed to be wary of the Bingley sisters, especially Miss Bingley, and Darcy was struck by her perceptiveness. She paid no attention to him at all. Not even a glance in his direction after the initial introduction.

It was not long before the Bennets rose to depart. Mrs Bennet was most enthusiastic in her thanks and hoped to see them all at her husband's estate, Longbourn, soon. A wish of knowing Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth better was expressed by Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley and received graciously by Miss Bennet and reluctantly by Miss Elizabeth.

After the Bennets were gone, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst began abusing them all abominably. Only Miss Bennet escaped and Darcy could tell the slight praise they gave her was insincere.

In the course of the sisters' tirade, Darcy learned that Miss Elizabeth had a local reputation for beauty. "She a beauty!" he exclaimed in surprise, "I should as soon call her mother a wit." He instantly regretted having said it, however, for Miss Bingley was quite pleased with it and he did not like to encourage her.

The conversation soon turned and Darcy was vexed to find his thoughts again dwelling on Miss Elizabeth.

Over the next week Darcy was in company with Bennets several times. He always found himself watching Miss Elizabeth and soon made a startling discovery. He found that the beautiful expression of her sparkling dark eyes rendered her face uncommonly intelligent. To this was soon added the equally mortifying discoveries that her figure was light and pleasing and that her country manners caught his fancy by their easy playfulness.

He soon began to wish to know more of her, and as a step towards conversing with her himself, attended to her conversations with others. This proved to be very enlightening. He learned that she was quite vivacious and witty and that she was well liked. Everyone took pleasure in speaking with her.

He was not, however, very discreet and soon learned that Miss Elizabeth knew what he was about. They were at a gathering at Sir William Lucas's and Darcy had been listening to Miss Elizabeth converse with the commander of a regiment of militia that had recently been quartered in Meryton. Later, he was walking past her and Miss Lucas when she suddenly addressed him.

"Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?"

Darcy was startled, he had not yet built up the courage to speak with her but somehow managed to reply with composure.

"With great energy; -- but it is a subject which always makes a lady energetic."

"You are severe on us."

Darcy did not know how to reply to that. He had not meant to be severe and was sorry she had taken it that way. Before he could find the words to express this, Miss Lucas entered the conversation.

It will be her turn soon to be teased," said she. "I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."

"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!" replied Miss Elizabeth, "always wanting me to play and sing before any body and every body! -- If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable, but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On Miss Lucas's persevering, however, she added, "Very well; if it must be so, it must." And gravely glancing at Darcy, "There is a fine old saying, which every body here is of course familiar with -- 'Keep your breath to cool your porridge,' -- and I shall keep mine to swell my song."

The ladies then left him and went to the pianoforte. Darcy wished she had not left so soon but she really had no reason to stay. The ladies had carried the conversation, he had barely contributed at all. He determined to do better next time.

These thoughts were soon interrupted by Miss Elizabeth beginning to play. Darcy listened with rapt attention. Her performance was by no means flawless but was easy and unaffected and very pleasant to listen to. Darcy was disappointed when after only two songs Miss Mary succeeded her at the instrument and began playing Scotch and Irish airs, at the request of her younger sisters, who, with some of the Lucases and two or three officers, joined eagerly in dancing at one end of the room.

Darcy stood nearby, idly watching but engrossed in his own thoughts until he was recalled by Sir William saying to him,

"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! -- There is nothing like dancing after all. -- I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies."

"Certainly, Sir; -- and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. -- Every savage can dance."

Sir William only smiled. "Your friend performs delightfully;" he continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group; -- "and I doubt not that you are an adept in the science yourself, Mr. Darcy."

"You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, Sir."

"Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?"

"Never, sir."

"Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?"

"It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it."

At that instant Miss Elizabeth passed by and Sir William called out to her,

"My dear Miss Eliza, why are not you dancing? -- Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. -- You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you."

Indeed, he could not and was about to take the hand offered him when Miss Elizabeth drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William,

"Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. -- I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner."

"I would be most honoured to dance with you, Miss Bennet," said Darcy most sincerely.

Miss Elizabeth gave him a strange look and repeated her refusal. Darcy was disappointed and Sir William could not shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.

"You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half hour."

"Mr. Darcy is all politeness," said Miss Elizabeth, smiling.

"He is indeed -- but considering the inducement, my dear Miss Eliza, we cannot wonder at his complaisance; for who would object to such a partner?"

Miss Elizabeth gave Darcy an arch look and turned away. Any doubts Darcy had about her having heard his comments at the assembly vanished with that look. She had meant to tell him that he had once objected to such a partner and she was going to punish him for it. He cold not blame her for it but was surprised. She was the only young lady of his acquaintance who would do such a thing. All the others would jump at a chance to dance with him. That Miss Elizabeth was different intrigued him. He wondered how long it would take her to forgive him the slight.

While Darcy was in the midst of these ruminations, he was accosted by Miss Bingley.

"I can guess the subject of your reverie," she said.

Darcy was annoyed by her intrusion but answered politely, "I should imagine not."

"You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner -- in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity and yet the noise; the nothingness and yet the self-importance of all these people! -- What would I give to hear your strictures on them!"

"Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow."

Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections.

Darcy had no scruples in disappointing her. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet!" repeated Miss Bingley. "I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? -- and pray when am I to wish you joy?"

Darcy resisted the urge to roll his eyes; he had no intention of marrying Miss Elizabeth. "A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from
admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I should have known you would be wishing me joy."

"Nay, if you are so serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley with you."

He listened to her with what he hoped was perfect indifference until she tired of entertaining herself in this manner.

Chapter 4

A few days after the party at Lucas Lodge, the gentlemen were invited to dine with the officers of the regiment. The ladies, in order to fill the void left by the gentlemen's absence, invited Miss Bennet to dine with them. It was a rather stormy day, and when the gentlemen returned they discovered that Miss Bennet had arrived on horseback and was therefore obliged to stay the night. Bingley was delighted, though concerned that she had gotten damp. Darcy wondered at her not using a carriage in such weather.

In the morning, it was discovered that Miss Bennet had fallen ill. The apothecary was immediately sent for and a note dispatched to Longbourn.

Later, when the party was at breakfast, they were all surprised when Miss Elizabeth Bennet was shown into the room.

"Miss Bennet!" said Bingley as the gentlemen rose, "what a pleasant surprise."

"I am sorry to intrude, Mr. Bingley," said she, "but I have come to inquire after my sister. I hope it is not too much trouble."

"Did you walk, Miss Bennet?" interjected Miss Bingley.

It was obvious that she had for her appearance was quite disheveled. Some of her hair had come loose and her petticoats were quite dirty. but Darcy barely noticed these details. What he did notice was the brilliance the exercise had given her complexion.

"Yes. Miss Bingley, it is only three miles," replied Miss Elizabeth.

"Three miles!" exclaimed Miss Bingley, not a little surprised, "so early and in all this dirt?"

"And all alone?" added Mrs. Hurst.

Darcy doubted that the situation justified coming so far alone but was appalled by the rudeness of Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Miss Elizabeth did not bother replying and soon Bingley said,

"Will you join us for breakfast, Miss Bennet?"

"That is very kind of you, Mr. Bingley, but I have had my breakfast already and I would like to see Jane."

"Yes, of course you would. Caroline, would you be so kind?

The apothecary came, and having examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that she had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavor to get the better of it; advised her to return to bed, and promised her some draughts. This advice was followed readily. The gentlemen went out for the day and when they returned they learned that Miss Elizabeth had not quit Miss Bennet's room for a moment. When the time came for Miss Elizabeth to depart, Miss Bennet testified such concern in parting with her that Miss Bingley was obliged to invite her to remain at Netherfield for the present. Miss Elizabeth most thankfully consented, and a servant was dispatched to Longbourn to acquaint the family with her stay, and bring back a supply of clothes. Darcy heard this news with mixed emotions. The thought of seeing a lot of Miss Elizabeth was very pleasing but he began to be afraid of her effect on him.

That evening after dinner, Miss Elizabeth returned directly to her sister, and Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were pronounced to be very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty. Darcy did not agree but, wary of Miss Bingley, said nothing. Mrs. Hurst, however, thought the same as her sister, and added,

"She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild."

"She did indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowzy!"

"Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been let down to hide it not doing its office."

Darcy had begun to wonder if his honour would require a contradiction, when Bingley rescued him from the necessity.

"Your picture may be very exact, Louisa," said he; "but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well, when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice."

"You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure," said Miss Bingley, "and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition."

"Certainly not," Darcy was forced to say. But then Georgiana was so different from Miss Elizabeth and quite a bit younger.

"To walk three miles, or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to shew an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum."

"It shews an affection for her sister that is very pleasing," said Bingley. Darcy was again relieved by Bingley's interference.

"I am afraid, Mr. Darcy," observed Miss Bingley in a half whisper, "that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes."

"Not at all, he replied, just a touch triumphantly; "they were brightened by the exercise."--A short pause followed this speech, and Mrs. Hurst began again.

"I have an excessive regard for Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it."

"I think I have heard you say, that their uncle is an attorney in Meryton," said Miss Bingley.

"Yes; and they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside."

"That is capital," added her sister, and they both laughed heartily.

Darcy listened to all this with a sinking feeling. Relations in trade! That would never do.

"If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside," cried Bingley, "it would not make them one jot less agreeable."

"But it very materially lessens their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world," replied Darcy, with some pain, which surprised him.

To this speech Bingley made no answer; but his sisters gave it their hearty assent, and indulged their mirth for some time at the expense of their dear friend's vulgar relations.

With a renewal of tenderness, however, they repaired to her room on leaving the dining-parlour, and sat with her till summoned to coffee.

Chapter 5

"Do you prefer reading to cards?" said he; "that is rather singular."

"Miss Eliza Bennet," said Miss Bingley, "despises cards She is a great reader and has no pleasure in anything else."

"I deserve neither such praise nor such censure," cried Miss Elizabeth; "I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many things."

"In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasure," said Bingley; "and I hope it will soon be increased by seeing her quite well."

Miss Elizabeth thanked him, and then walked towards a table where a few books were lying. He immediately offered to fetch her others; all that his library afforded.

"And I wish my collection were larger for your benefit and my own credit; but I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever look into."

Miss Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.

"I am astonished," said Miss Bingley, "that my father should have left so small a collection of books. What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!"

Darcy had been concentrating on Miss Elizabeth and was startled at being addressed. He had heard enough of the conversation, however, to reply.

"It ought to be good, it has been the work of many generations."

"And then you have added so much to it yourself, you are always buying books."

"I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these."

"Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as Pemberley."

"I wish it may."

"But I would really advise you to make your purchase in that neighbourhood, and take Pemberley for a kind of model. There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire."

"With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell it."

"I am talking of possibilities, Charles."

"Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitation."

At this point, Miss Elizabeth put her book down and drawing near the card table, stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister to observe the game.

"Is Miss Darcy much grown since the spring?" said Miss Bingley; "will she be as tall as I am?"

Darcy was suspicious of Miss Bingley's motives in changing the conversation, but answered, "I think she will. She is now about Miss Elizabeth Bennet's height, or rather taller."

"How I long to see her again! I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners, and so extremely accomplished for her age! Her performance on the piano-forte is exquisite."

"It is amazing to me," said Bingley, "how young ladies can have patience to be so very accomplished as they all are."

"All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?"

"Yes all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished."

"Your list of the common extent of accomplishments," said Darcy, "has too much truth. The word is applied to many a woman who deserves it no otherwise than by netting a purse, or covering a screen. But I am very far from agreeing with you in your estimation of ladies in general. I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished."

"Nor I, I am sure," said Miss Bingley.

"Then," observed Miss Elizabeth, "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished women."

"Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it," replied Darcy, thrilled that she has entered the conversation.

"Oh! certainly," cried Miss Bingley, "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 with a hint of sarcasm, and then looking pointedly at Miss Elizabeth, "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."

Darcy had meant to give her a compliment and wondered if she had truly misunderstood him. He quickly discarded that idea, however, realizing that it was purposely done and that she was still trying to punish him. He decided to play along.

"Are you so severe upon your own sex, as to doubt the possibility of all this?"

"I never saw such a woman, I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe, united."

Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, and Darcy was having a hard time concealing his amusement at their perfidy, when Mr. Hurst called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward. As all conversation was thereby at an end, Miss Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.

"Eliza Bennet," said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, "is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own, and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art."

Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, did not agree with the sentiment concerning Miss Elizabeth, and, recognizing Miss Bingley's art in the matter, sought to silence her by replying, "Undoubtedly, there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable."

The remark was successful and Miss Bingley did not continue the subject.

Miss Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones's being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of, but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better.

Chapter 6

The next morning, Mrs. Bennet came, accompanied by her two youngest daughters, to visit Miss Bennet and judge of the situation. After sitting with Miss Bennet awhile, the mother and three daughters attended Miss Bingley into the breakfast parlour. Bingley met them with hopes that Mrs. Bennet had not found Miss Bennet worse than she expected.

"Indeed I have, Sir," was her answer. "She is a great deal too ill to be moved. Mr. Jones says we must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your kindness."

"Removed!" cried Bingley. "It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

"You may depend upon it, Madam," said Miss Bingley, with cold civility, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us."

Mrs. Bennet was profuse in her acknowledgments. She went off on a long speech praising Miss Bennet, Bingley, and Netherfield. Darcy ceased to attend and instead watched Miss Elizabeth until he heard Bingley speak again.

"Whatever I do is done in a hurry," said he, "and therefore if I should resolve to quit Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I consider myself as quite fixed here."

"That is exactly what I should have supposed of you," said Miss Elizabeth.

"You begin to comprehend me, do you?" cried he, turning towards her.

"Oh! yes--I understand you perfectly."

"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful."

"That is as it happens. It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours."

"Lizzy," cried her mother, "remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home."

Darcy cringed and felt sorry for Miss Elizabeth to have such a mother. But this same mother gave him another reason not to let his growing admiration for the daughter touch his heart.

Despite Mrs. Bennet's interruption, Bingley continued, "I did not know before, that you were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study."

"Yes; but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage."

"The country," said Darcy, "can in general supply but few subjects for such a study." He longed to know what he had revealed to her of his own character but, was, at the same time, afraid of the answer. "In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society."

"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever."

"Yes, indeed," cried Mrs. Bennet, in a tone which bespoke her offence. What had he said to offend her? "I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town."

Every body was surprised; and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away.

Mrs. Bennet, continued in a triumphant voice, "I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is not it, Mr. Bingley?"

"When I am in the country," he replied, "I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in either."

"Aye--that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman," looking at Darcy, "seemed to think the country was nothing at all."

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

"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; 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."

Darcy was again embarrassed for Miss Elizabeth. Bingley was able to keep his countenance but his sister directed her eye towards Darcy with a very expressive smile which he ignored for Miss Elizabeth's sake. Miss Elizabeth then changed the subject by asking if Miss Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

"Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley--is not he? so much the man of fashion! so genteel and so easy!? He has always something to say to every body.--That is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter."

Darcy knew this to be directed at himself. Mrs. Bennet obviously disliked him. He couldn't fathom why but decided it didn't really matter. Mrs. Bennet continued to rattle on and Darcy allowed his attention to wander again until he heard Miss Elizabeth say impatiently, "And so ended his affection. There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"

"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy, though he had no idea what the conversation was about.

"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

Darcy knew not how to answer that and only smiled. In the general pause which then ensued, Miss Elizabeth appeared anxious, probably in fear of what her mother might say, he thought, and again felt sorry for her.

After a short silence Mrs. Bennet began repeating her thanks to Bingley for his kindness to Miss Bennet with an apology for troubling him also with Miss Elizabeth. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what the occasion required. She performed her part, indeed, without much graciousness, but Mrs. Bennet did not seem to notice, and soon afterwards ordered her carriage. Upon this signal, her two youngest daughters, who had spent the whole visit whispering together, came forward and Miss Lydia taxed Bingley with having promised on his first coming into the country to give a ball at Netherfield.

"I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement, and when your sister is recovered, you shall if you please, name the very day of the ball. But you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill."

Miss Lydia declared herself satisfied. "Oh! yes--it would be much better to wait till Jane was well.

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters then departed, and Miss Elizabeth returned instantly to Miss Bennet, leaving her own and her relations' behaviour to the remarks of the two ladies and Darcy; the latter of whom, however, could not be prevailed on to join in their censure of her, in spite of all Miss Bingley's witticisms on fine eyes.

Chapter 7

Darcy was writing a letter to Georgiana, and Miss Bingley, seated near him, was watching the progress of his letter, and, much to his annoyance, repeatedly calling off his attention by messages to his sister. However, he civilly received the perpetual commendations of the lady either on his handwriting, or on the evenness of his lines, or on the length of his letter, with the perfect unconcern.

My dearest Georgiana,

I received your letter dated the tenth and am pleased to hear that everything is well at Pemberley. We are all fine here in Hertfordshire. Miss Bingley wishes me to send her regards and says that she looks forward to seeing you.

How do you get on with Mrs. Annesley?

"You are mistaken. I write rather slowly."

She has sent me a good report of you.

"It is fortunate, then, that they fall to my lot instead of to yours."

Is she a help with your lessons?

"I have already told her so once, by your desire."

How is your music coming along? and your drawing?

"Thank you--but I always mend my own."

It is rather quiet here and we have had few engagements.

Most of the people here are quite provincial.

"Will you give me leave to defer your raptures till I write again?--At present I have not room to do them justice."

"Oh! it is of no consequence. I shall see her in January. But do you always write such charming long letters to her, Mr. Darcy?"

"They are generally long; but whether always charming, it is not for me to determine."

"It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter, with ease, cannot write ill."

"That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline," cried her brother, "because he does not write with ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables. Do not you, Darcy?"

"My style of writing is very different from yours."

"Oh!" cried Miss Bingley, "Charles writes in the most careless way imaginable. He leaves out half his words, and blots the rest."

"My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them--by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents."

Miss Elizabeth now joined the conversation, raising Darcy's interest in it. "Your humility, Mr. Bingley," said she, "must disarm reproof."

"Nothing is more deceitful," said Darcy, "than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast."

"And which of the two do you call my little recent piece of modesty?" questioned Bingley.

"The indirect boast;--for you are really proud of your defects in writing, because you consider them as proceeding from a rapidity of thought and carelessness of execution, which if not estimable, you think at least highly interesting. The power of doing any thing with quickness is always much prized by the possessor, and often without any attention to the imperfection of the performance. When you told Mrs. Bennet this morning that if you ever resolved on quitting Netherfield you should be gone in five minutes, you meant it to be a sort of panegyric, of compliment to yourself--and yet what is there so very laudable in a precipitance which must leave very necessary business undone, and can be of no real advantage to yourself or any one else?"

"Nay," cried Bingley, "this is too much, to remember at night all the foolish things that were said in the morning. And yet, upon my honour, I believed what I said of myself to be true, and I believe it at this moment."

"I dare say you believed it; but I am by no means convinced that you would be gone with such celerity. Your conduct would be quite as dependant on chance as that of any man I know; and if, as you were mounting your horse, a friend were to say, 'Bingley, you had better stay till next week,' you would probably do it, you would probably not go--and, at another word, might stay a month."

"You have only proved by this," cried Miss Elizabeth, "that Mr. Bingley did not do justice to his own disposition. You have shewn him off now much more than he did himself."

"I am exceedingly gratified," said Bingley, "by your converting what my friend says into a compliment on the sweetness of my temper. But I am afraid you are giving it a turn which that gentleman did by no means intend; for he would certainly think the better of me, if under such a circumstance I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fast as I could."

Darcy shifted in his seat, he did not like this turn in the conversation. He was afraid Miss Elizabeth would get the wrong idea about him. But he listened on in patient silence.

"Would Mr. Darcy then consider the rashness of your original intention as atoned for by your obstinacy in adhering to it?"

"Upon my word I cannot exactly explain the matter; Darcy must speak for himself."

"You expect me to account for opinions which you choose to call mine, but which I have never acknowledged. Allowing the case, however, to stand according to your representation, you must remember, Miss Bennet, that the friend who is supposed to desire his return to the house, and the delay of his plan, has merely desired it, asked it without offering one argument in favour of its propriety."

"To yield readily--easily--to the persuasion of a friend is no merit with you."

"To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either."

"You appear to me, Mr. Darcy, to allow nothing for the influence of friendship and affection. I am not particularly speaking of such a case as you have supposed about Mr. Bingley. We may as well wait, perhaps, till the circumstance occurs, before we discuss the discretion of his behaviour thereupon. But in general and ordinary cases between friend and friend, where one of them is desired by the other to change a resolution of no very great moment, should you think ill of that person for complying with the desire, without waiting to be argued into it?"

"Will it not be advisable, before we proceed on this subject, to arrange with rather more precision the degree of importance which is to appertain to this request, as well as the degree of intimacy subsisting between the parties?"

"By all means," cried Bingley; "Let us hear all the particulars, not forgetting their comparative height and size; for that will have more weight in the argument, Miss Bennet, than you may be aware of. I assure you that if Darcy were not such a great tall fellow, in comparison with myself, I should not pay him half so much deference. I declare I do not know a more awful object than Darcy, on particular occasions, and in particular places; at his own house especially, and of a Sunday evening when he has nothing to do."

Darcy smiled but he felt uncomfortable and somewhat offended. Miss Elizabeth looked as if she wanted to laugh but, she did not. Miss Bingley warmly resented the indignity he had received in an expostulation with her brother for talking such nonsense.

"I see your design, Bingley," said Darcy.--"You dislike an argument, and want to silence this."

"Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room, I shall be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me."

"What you ask," said Miss Elizabeth, "is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter."

Despite the discomfort he had felt during most of it, Darcy found himself disappointed that the conversation had come to an end. For some reason arguing with Miss Elizabeth was rather pleasant. After contemplating her for a few minutes he followed her advice and returned to his letter.

There are a few notable exceptions however. We have had an addition to our party the last few days. One of the ladies of the neighborhood fell ill while she was dining here. We do not, of course, see her but her sister has come to attend her and brings a liveliness to our evenings that is usually lacking. I am sorry I have not more news to tell you but, as I said we lead a quiet existence here in the country. I look forward to seeing you again at Christmas. Please write me again soon.

Your brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy

When Darcy was finished with his letter, he applied to Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth for the indulgence of some music. Miss Bingley, anxious to please, as always, moved with alacrity to the piano-forte, and after a polite request that Miss Elizabeth would lead the way, which the other as politely and more earnestly negatived, she seated herself.

Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister, and while they were thus employed, Mr. Darcy watched Miss Elizabeth as she turned over some music books that lay on the instrument.

After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by a lively Scotch air. After listening a moment, Darcy realized that this was an opportunity to make amends for his slight at the assembly. Drawing near to Miss Elizabeth, he said,

"Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?"

She smiled, but made no answer. Surprised at her silence, he repeated the question.

"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 all--and now despise me if you dare."

"Indeed I do not dare."

Darcy was puzzled by her reply. Contempt? Despising? Why would she expect him to feel those for her? Of course she was teasing, she could not mean it. Normally he would have been affronted by her impertinence. Indeed, she seemed amazed that he was not. 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.

Chapter 8

After a few minutes, Miss Bingley informed everyone of the book she had chosen. Darcy sighed, realizing that it was the second volume of his own. He hoped she would actually read it and leave him to read his. It was to be. Her attention was quite as much engaged in watching Darcy's progress through his book, as in reading her own; and she was perpetually either making some inquiry, or looking at his page. Darcy did not let her win him, however, to any conversation; he merely answered her question, and read on. At length, she gave a great yawn and said, "How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way! I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book!? When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."

No one made any reply. She then yawned again, threw aside her book, and cast her eyes round the room in quest of some amusement; when, hearing her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned suddenly towards him and said,

"By the bye, Charles, are you really serious in meditating a dance at Netherfield?--I would advise you, before you determine on it, to consult the wishes of the present party; I am much mistaken if there are not some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasure."

"If you mean Darcy," cried her brother, "he may go to bed, if he chooses, before it begins--but as for the ball, it is quite a settled thing."

Darcy did not appreciate Miss Bingley's efforts in his behalf. He discovered that he actually found the idea of a ball quite pleasing. It would give him another opportunity to convince Miss Elizabeth to dance with him.

Soon afterwards, Miss Bingley got up and walked about the room. Darcy knew it was all aimed at him but remained inflexibly studious until she turned to Miss Elizabeth and said,

"Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room.--I assure you it is very refreshing after sitting so long in one attitude."

Miss Elizabeth agreed to it immediately, not a little surprised. Darcy looked up, as much awake to the novelty of attention in that quarter as Miss Elizabeth could be, and unconsciously closed his book. He was directly invited to join their party, but he declined it, observing,

"I can imagine but two motives for your choosing to walk up and down the room together, with either of which motives my joining you would interfere."

"What could he mean?" exclaimed Miss Bingley. "Can you at all understand him, Miss Eliza?"

"Not at all," was her answer; "but depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it."

For once, Darcy hoped Miss Bingley would not disappoint him as apparently Miss Elizabeth would not ask. He was not disappointed and Miss Bingley persevered in requiring an explanation of his two motives.

"I have not the smallest objection to explaining them," said he, as soon as she allowed him to speak. "You either chose this method of passing the evening because you are in each other's confidence, and have secret affairs to discuss, or because you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage in walking;--if the first, I should be completely in your way;--and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fire."

"Oh! shocking!" cried Miss Bingley. "I never heard any thing so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?"

"Nothing so easy, if you have but the inclination," said Miss Elizabeth. "We can all plague and punish one another. Tease him? Laugh at him.? Intimate as you are, you must know how it is to be done."

"But upon my honour I do not. I do assure you that my intimacy has not yet taught me that. Tease calmness of temper and presence of mind! No, no? I feel he may defy us there. And as to laughter, we will not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a subject."

Darcy was wishing, much to his surprise, that Miss Elizabeth would tease him, but was relieved that Miss Bingley would not.

"Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!" cried Miss Elizabeth. "That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintance. I dearly love a laugh."

"Miss Bingley," said he, "has given me credit for more than can be. The wisest and the best of men, nay, the wisest and best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke."

"Certainly," replied Miss Elizabeth--"there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.--But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are without."

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

"Such as vanity and pride."

"Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride? Where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation."

Miss Elizabeth turned away.

"Your examination of Mr. Darcy is over, I presume," said Miss Bingley;- "and pray what is the result?"

"I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr. Darcy has no defect. He owns it himself without disguise."

"No"--said Darcy, enjoying himself very much, "I have made no such pretension. I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for.--It is I believe too little yielding- certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful.--My good opinion once lost is lost for ever."

"That is a failing indeed!" cried Miss Elizabeth. "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."

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

"And your defect is a propensity to hate every body."

"And yours," he replied with a smile, "is willfully to misunderstand them."

"Do let us have a little music," cried Miss Bingley, putting an end to the conversation.

Darcy felt a small pang of regret even though the conversation had become a fierce argument. He considered the exchange and could not quite make it out. If he considered only her words, it seemed as though Miss Elizabeth greatly disliked him, but her manner was so easy, playful, and unaffected that that could not be. Was she teasing him? She must be. A few minutes before he had been wishing it but now the thought made him distinctly uncomfortable. He began to be afraid that she would get the wrong idea about his intentions and, to understand the danger of paying her too much attention.

Chapter 9

To Darcy it was welcome intelligence--Miss Elizabeth attracted him more than he liked--and Miss Bingley was uncivil to her and more teasing than usual to himself. He resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him, nothing that could elevate her with he hope of influencing his felicity; sensible that if such an idea had been suggested, his behavior during the last day must have material weight in confirming or crushing it.

Through all of Saturday, Darcy was steady to his purpose and avoided Miss Elizabeth. He spoke scarcely ten words to her al day. There was only one instance when he almost lost his resolve.

In the afternoon, he was alone, reading in the library, when Miss Elizabeth came in. He hoped she would leave when she discovered he was alone, but she did not. Instead she selected a book and sat down near him to read.

Darcy did not look at her but adhered most consistently to his book. He did not however, comprehend a word he read. Miss Elizabeth remained in the library above half an hour and Darcy was acutely aware of her presence the entire time. When she finally left, Darcy breathed a sigh of relief and then went for a ride to clear his head.

That evening, Darcy did not join the party in the drawing room and was much relieved to see the Miss Bennets depart in the morning. The relief, however, did not last long for he soon discovered that he missed Miss Elizabeth. Therefore, when Bingley suggested, a few days later, that they call at Longbourn to inquire after Miss Bennet, Darcy readily agreed.

They did not make it to Longbourn for on riding through Meryton, Bingley distinguished four of the Miss Bennets conversing with one of the officers and a few other gentlemen. Darcy and Bingley rode directly over and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman and Miss Bennet the principal object.

Darcy was just beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Miss Elizabeth when they were suddenly arrested by a much less pleasant sight, a demon from the past, Mr. Wickham.

Darcy felt his anger rise as he glared at Wickham. The two stared at each other for a few moments until Wickham touched his hat in greeting. Darcy nodded curtly then abruptly turned his horse and rode off a ways to wait for Bingley.

Wickham! What was Wickham doing here? Darcy had hoped never to see him again. Yet here he was and he was probably enjoying Miss Elizabeth Bennet's fine eyes and pleasant conversation. But, why was he here of all places? Darcy knew it would not be beyond Wickham to come there for the soul purpose of tormenting him but, he had clearly been as surprised by the encounter as Darcy was.

"Darcy," said Bingley, who by this time, had come up with him, "why did you ride off so suddenly like that?"

"Were you introduced to Mr. Wickham?" Darcy asked as calmly as he could manage.

"Yes," replied Bingley, oblivious to Darcy's distress, "he seemed to be a very pleasant gentleman. Do you know him?"

"Yes. He is the son of my father's steward. Don't trust him Bingley, his pleasant manners are deceptive."

"What happened? I remember now hearing of him before. I thought you were friends."

"We were, as boys, and my father was his patron. But he abused the trust we placed in him in the most vicious way." That was an understatement. Vicious did not even begin to describe what he had done to Georgiana. Bingley started to ask another question but Darcy cut him off. "Please don't ask me anything else, Bingley." He then spurred his horse and galloped back to Netherfield leaving a confused Bingley behind.

Over the next few days, Darcy determined to discover what Wickham was doing in Meryton. He soon discovered that he had taken a commission in the militia. This information was not to Darcy's liking. It meant Wickham was there to stay, for awhile at least. Even worse, he discovered that Wickham was quite a favourite with the Miss Bennets. After a half hour spent in great anxiety over Miss Elizabeth's safety, however, he realized that she was too respectable to fall victim to his lust and too poor to be an object of his mercenary tendencies.

Chapter 10

Bingley's ball was soon fixed for the following Tuesday. he sent round his cards, went to Longbourn to personally invite the Bennets, and issued a general invitation to the officers of the regiment. Darcy looked forward to seeing Miss Elizabeth and hoped to be able to get her to dance with him. He also hoped Wickham would have discretion enough to stay away.

The ball arrived and much to Darcy's relief, Wickham did not arrive with the other officers. The Bennets soon arrived and Miss Elizabeth looked exceptionally well. He watched her as she moved about the room greeting her friends and acquaintances. She was joined by one of the officers and during their brief exchange they both glanced in his direction more than once. They must be talking about him and the thought made him somewhat uneasy.

Once the officer had left, Darcy approached to greet her himself.

"It is a pleasure to see you this evening Miss Bennet. I hope you have been well since we last met."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Darcy," she replied curtly, then turned on her heel and walked away.

Darcy was surprised by this and wondered as he watched her join her friend Miss Lucas, if that officer had said something to upset her.

The dancing soon commenced and Darcy watched as Miss Elizabeth was led to the set by a pompous young clergyman. Darcy had heard that such a young man, a cousin, he believed, was staying with the Bennets. Miss Elizabeth's dancing was graceful but she was having difficulty with her partner. He moved awkwardly and often wrong, and his manner seemed to be solemn and apologetic. Miss Elizabeth appeared mortified and miserable and finally much relieved when the two dances were over. Darcy felt for her and hoped she would not have to dance with the man again.

She next danced with an officer, a much pleasanter experience for her, as well as for Darcy to watch. After this dance she joined Miss Lucas and Darcy decided the time had come to follow his resolution and ask her to dance. He approached the young ladies and made the application. Miss Elizabeth appeared surprised but quickly accepted. Not knowing what else to say, Darcy walked away again immediately to await the two dances.

When the dancing recommenced, Darcy finally claimed her hand and led her to the set. He longed to talk but, not knowing what to say they stood for some time without speaking a word. After several minutes, Miss Elizabeth made some slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. He was enjoying dancing with her very much but the silence was beginning to be awkward when she addressed him a second time with:

"It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy.--I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples."

He smiled, and said, "I shall say whatever you wish me to."

"Very well.--That reply will do for the present.--Perhaps by and by I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones.--But now we may be silent."

"Do you talk by rule then, while you are dancing?"

"Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together, and yet for the advantage of some, conversation ought to be so arranged as that they may have the trouble of saying as little as possible."

"Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?"

"Both," replied Miss Elizabeth archly; "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 the eclat of a proverb."

"This is no very striking resemblance of your own character, I am sure," said he. "How near it may be to mine, I cannot pretend to say.--You think it a faithful portrait undoubtedly."

"I must not decide on my own performance."

He made no answer, and they were again silent till they had gone down the dance, when he asked, "Do you and your sisters walk very often into Meryton?"

"Yes," she replied. "When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance."

He knew she meant Wickham and instantly felt himself colour in anger but could not speak. Miss Elizabeth said no more and, at length, Darcy said in a constrained manner,

"Mr. Wickham 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 has been so unlucky as to lose your friendship," replied Miss Elizabeth with emphasis, "and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life."

Darcy made no answer, and wished desperately to change the subject. At that moment Sir William Lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass through the set to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Darcy he stopped with a bow of superior courtesy, to compliment him 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 that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event, my dear Miss Eliza (glancing at her sister and Bingley), shall take place."

The rest of this address was scarcely heard by Darcy. Sir William's allusion to his friend struck him forcibly, and his eyes were directed with a very serious expression towards Bingley and Miss Bennet, who were dancing together. So a marriage was expected between them. He would have to watch them carefully. Recovering himself, he turned to his partner, and said,

"Sir William's interruption has made me forget what we were talking of." This was not true but he did not wish to pursue that topic and hoped Miss Elizabeth would take the hint.

"I do not think we were speaking at all. Sir William could not have interrupted any two people in the room who had less to say for themselves.--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?" said he with a smile, remembering their conversation while she was staying at Netherfield.

"Books--Oh! no.--I am sure we never read the same, or not with the same feelings."

"I am sorry you think so; but if that be the case, there can at least be no want of subject.--We may compare our different opinions."

"No--I cannot talk of books in a ball-room; my head is always full of something else."

"The present always occupies you in such scenes--does it?" said he, doubtingly.

"Yes, always," she replied absently then suddenly exclaimed, "I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy, that you hardly ever forgave, that your resentment once created was unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being created ."

"I am," said he, with a firm voice, wondering what she was getting at.

"And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?"

"I hope not."

"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?"

"Merely to the illustration of your character," said she. "I am trying to make it out."

This made his uncomfortable, but, unable to resist, he asked, "And what is your success?"

She shook her head. "I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly."

He knew she was again referring to Wickham, and gravely replied, "I can readily believe, that report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either."

"But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity."

He was disappointed by this response and coldly replied, "I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours." She said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence.

Darcy was dissatisfied. The dance had been nothing like he had hoped. Wickham had obviously been telling her lies. At first, he was angry with her for allowing herself to be taken in, but he soon secured her pardon and directed all his anger towards the truly guilty party. How could he blame her for being taken in when his own father and sister had been deceived by him. And surely she would heed his warnings.

While he was in the midst of these reflections, Darcy was approached by the clergyman who had danced the first dances with Miss Elizabeth. Much to Darcy's surprise, the man made a low solemn bow and proceeded to introduce himself.

"Mr. Darcy," he began, "you must allow me to apologize for thus addressing you, but I'm sure you will pardon me when I tell you that I have just discovered that you are the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I am William Collins and have the great privilege of serving under the patronage of that noble lady. I could not let this fortunate opportunity of paying my respects to of her relations and to most sincerely assure you that her ladyship and her daughter were quite well yesterday se'night."

Darcy eyed the man and no longer wondered at Miss Elizabeth's mortification while dancing with him. The man was pompous, conceited, filled with false humility, and stupid. When Mr. Collins finally allowed him to speak, Darcy gave him the briefest reply possible with an air of distant civility. Mr. Collins then began on a string of praises on Lady Catherine. When he finally finished, Darcy made a slight bow, and moved another way. Mr. Collins was going to make Darcy's annual visits to his aunt even more unpleasant than they already were, but he was not in the least surprised that Lady Catherine would have chosen such a man as her parson.

Shortly after this the dancing was adjourned for supper. Darcy intended to use that time to observe Bingley and Miss Bennet. He was not, however, seated near them and was, instead, seated directly across from Miss Elizabeth and her mother. Mrs. Bennet's discourse was all of her expectations of a marriage between Bingley and her eldest daughter. Miss Elizabeth endeavored to check her mother but in vain and Darcy noticed that she glanced at him several times in shame and vexation. He wished he could help her but knew not how.

Before long she was in even deeper mortification when her sister Mary had begun to play and sing at the piano-forte. Miss Mary's powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak and her manner affected. Miss Elizabeth appeared to be in agonies, especially when her sister began a second song. When this was finished she was prevented from attempting a third by her father, who said, loud enough for many to hear, "That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit." Darcy was relieved she would play no more but was struck by the impropriety of Mr. Bennet's methods. He hoped perhaps Miss Elizabeth would play now but, she did not.

The table next had the misfortune of being graced by a long speech from Mr. Collins. When this was at last over, Mrs. Bennet began to prattle on again. Her subject was still marriage but this time the object was Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Collins. Darcy felt his stomach drop when he heard this. The idea that Miss Elizabeth could be the wife of that man was inconceivable. He knew she could never be happy with him.

After supper was over, Darcy divided his time between observing Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Collins and Bingley and Miss Bennet. Mr. Collins was excessively attentive to Miss Elizabeth but much to Darcy's relief she did not seem at all pleased about it. He did not think she would be prevailed on to marry against her will.

Darcy was not so pleased with observations of Bingley and Miss Bennet. Bingley was obviously very much in love, more so than Darcy had ever seen him before. However, it was equally obvious that Miss Bennet was not. She displayed no symptom of peculiar regard, and though she received Bingley's attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment. And Darcy realized, unlike Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet would probably be persuaded by her mother to marry him. He would have to think of some way to free Bingley of this trap.

When all the guests had gone, Darcy retired to his room declining to discuss the ball with the Bingley's and the Hursts. He had too much to think about.

After much thought on Bingley's situation, Darcy concluded that he must endeavor to separate them. The match would be most disadvantageous to Bingley. Miss Bennet had no fortune, low connections, and most important of all, her immediate family, save for Miss Elizabeth, suffered from a most appalling lack of propriety. If there was mutual affection all this would be nothing. Miss Bennet was a fine young woman, almost the equal of Miss Elizabeth. But without it, Bingley would end up ridiculous and miserable.

Bingley was obliged to go to London in the morning for a few days. Darcy decided that once he was gone he would speak with his sisters. He was sure they opposed the match as much as he did. He would convince them to follow Bingley to town and to keep him there.

Once he had this matter settled, Darcy allowed his thoughts to wander and they soon settled on Miss Elizabeth. As he thought of her, he came to a startling realization. He was in love with her, deeply in love, and had been for some time. What was he to do? He couldn't marry her. All the objections to a match between Bingley and Miss Bennet applied in even greater force in his own case. It was now even more important that he leave Hertfordshire. He had to forget Elizabeth Bennet.

Continued in Next Section