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.”

“You have a house in town, I conclude?”

Mr. Darcy bowed.

“I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself – for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.”

He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her:

“My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not 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.” And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly 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.”

Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all 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 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?”

Elizabeth looked archly, and turned away. Her resistance had not injured her with the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some complacency, when thus accosted by Miss Bingley:

“I can guess the subject of your reverie.”

“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 those people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!”

“You 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. Mr. Darcy replied with great intrepidity:

“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?”

“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”

“Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter is absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you.”

He listened to her with perfect indifference while she chose to entertain herself in this manner; and as his composure convinced her that all was safe, her wit flowed long.

CAPÍTULO 6

As damas de Longbourn logo foram ver as de Netherfield. A visita foi logo retribuída da devida maneira. Os agradáveis modos de Miss Bennet elevaram a boa-vontade de Mrs. Hurst e de Miss Bingley; e, embora se descobrisse que a mãe era intolerável e que não valia a pena conversar com as irmãs mais jovens, um desejo de travar melhores relações com elas foi expresso para com as duas mais velhas. Por Jane, essa atenção foi recebida com grande prazer, mas Elizabeth ainda via arrogância no tratamento delas com relação a todos, dificilmente excetuando inclusive sua irmã, e não poderia gostar delas; entretanto, a bondade delas para com Jane, tal como era, tinha valor por se erguer, de todos os modos, da influência da admiração do irmão. Era evidente, em geral, sempre quando eles se encontravam, que ele realmente a admirava e, para ela, era igualmente óbvio que Jane estava cedendo à preferência que começara a acalentar por ele desde o início, e estava bem a caminho de se apaixonar bastante; mas considerava, com prazer, que isso não deveria ser descoberto pelo mundo, já que Jane reunia, com grande poder de sentimento, compostura de temperamento e uma alegria uniforme de modos que a protegeria de suspeitas impertinentes. Ela mencionou isso para a sua amiga Miss Lucas.

“Isso talvez possa ser agradável”, replicou Charlotte, “ser capaz de se impor ao público em tal caso; mas, às vezes, é uma desvantagem ser tão resguardada. Se uma mulher oculta sua afeição de seu objeto com a mesma habilidade, ela pode perder a oportunidade de fixá-lo; e será então de pouco consolo acreditar igualmente em todos. Há muito de gratidão ou vaidade em quase toda relação, que não é seguro deixar um deles a si mesmo. Nós podemos começar livremente – uma pequena preferência é bem natural; mas há poucos de nós com coragem o bastante para se apaixonar realmente, sem encorajamento.