Oh! the eldest Miss Bennet beyond a doubt, there cannot be two
opinions on that point.'

'Upon my word!--Well, that was very decided indeed--that does
seem as if-----but however, it may all come to nothing you know.'

'My overhearings were more to the purpose than yours, Eliza,' said
Charlotte. 'Mr. Darcy is not so well worth listening to as his friend,
is he?--Poor Eliza!--to be only just tolerable.'

'I beg you would not put it into Lizzy's head to be vexed by his ill-
treatment; for he is such a disagreeable man that it would be quite a
misfortune to be liked by him. Mrs. Long told me last night that he
sat close to her for half an hour without once opening his lips.'

'Are you quite sure, Ma'am?--is not there a little mistake?' said
Jane.--'I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her.'

'Aye--because she asked him at last how he liked Netherfield, and
he could not help answering her;--but she said he seemed very
angry at being spoke to.'

'Miss Bingley told me,' said Jane, 'that he never speaks much
unless among his intimate acquaintance. With them he is remarkably
agreeable.'

'I do not believe a word of it, my dear. If he had been so very
agreeable he would have talked to Mrs. Long. But I can guess how it
was; every body says that he is ate up with pride, and I dare say he
had heard somehow that Mrs. Long does not keep a carriage, and
had come to the ball in a hack chaise.'^*

'I do not mind his not talking to Mrs. Long,' said Miss Lucas, 'but
I wish he had danced with Eliza.'

'Another time, Lizzy,' said her mother, 'I would not dance with
him, if I were you.'

'I believe, Ma'am, I may safely promise you never to dance with
him.'

'His pride,' said Miss Lucas, 'does not offend me so much as pride
often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that
so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, every thing in his
favour, should think highly of himself. If I may so express it, he has a
right to be proud.'

'That is very true,' replied Elizabeth, 'and I could easily forgive his
pride, if he had not mortified mine.'

'Pride,' observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of
her reflections, 'is a very common failing I believe. By all that I have

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