Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 21 (1)
Until Elizabeth entered the hall at Netherfield, and looked vainly for Mr. Wickham among the officers in red uniform, she never suspected that he should not be there.The presentiment that she must meet him there was not disturbed by what might reasonably be regarded as unpleasant memories.She had dressed with more care than usual, and was so well prepared in advance to win over all his affections that she felt confident that she would win him before the party was over.But at this moment a fear suddenly came over her, and she suspected that Mr. Bingley, in order to please Mr. Darcy, had deliberately omitted Mr. Wickham from the invitation of the officers; although it was only hers. but the fact that he did not come was revealed by his friend Mr. Denny.Mr. Denney told her and Lydia, who was about to ask him to dance, that Wickham had been obliged to go to town yesterday on business, and had not returned; and he added, with a meaningful smile:

"I think if he hadn't deliberately avoided a gentleman here, he wouldn't have happened to leave yesterday because of business."

This latter remark Lydia did not hear, but Elizabeth did, for it confirmed her earlier surmise that Darcy was connected with Wickham's absence, and so she This sudden sense of disappointment, which had always been disliked by Darcy, was so intensified that when he came up a little later to greet her politely, she could hardly keep to himself. At least polite. ——The attention, tolerance and patience to Darcy are the harm to Wickham.She resolved not to enter into conversation with him, and went away somewhat sullenly, and even spoke to Mr. Bingley that evening, for she was irritated by his partiality and blindness.

Elizabeth, however, was not of a disposition to be sullen; and though her own goodness of the evening was no longer there, she was soon in better spirits; After Carlotie Lucas, whom she hadn't seen for weeks, she was soon able to take the initiative to greet her eccentric cousin and give him special attention.However, the two of them danced the first two dances together, but Elizabeth's mood was broken.Those were two tortured dances.Mr. Collins was stupid and prim, and he could only keep apologizing without cooperating, and often took wrong steps without even noticing. This poor partner had made her suffer and lose face in the past few dances.So the moment the dance with him was over was a great relief to her.

Her next dance was with an officer, which enabled her to talk of Wickham again, and to hear his beloved words again, and her spirits were much restored.After this dance, she went back to Carlotti's, and when she was chatting with her, she suddenly found Mr. Darcy talking to her beside her, asking her to do the next dance. Unprepared, he accepted the invitation in a fluster and ignorantly.Then he went away at once, leaving her angry at what she had lost her mind in the midst of her fuss, while Carlotta tried to comfort her as best she could.

"I dare say you'll find him very agreeable."

"Oh, God forbid!--that would be the greatest of my misfortunes!--to find likable a man I am determined to hate!--let me not be part of that evil."

When the dance music was played again and Mr. Darcy came forward to ask her to dance, Carlotti could not help reminding her in a low voice not to be stupid, not to be superior to him in a position and status just because of her affection for Wickham. Show displeasure in front of ten times as many people.Elizabeth went down the dance-floor without a word; and being invited by Mr. Darcy to stand face to face with him in the dance, she could not help being amazed at the dignity she had attained, and watched the faces of her neighbors as they followed her. It was also amazing to see this scene.They danced for a while, neither said a word; then she thought that the silence between them might last until the two dances were over, and she was determined not to break it first; Feeling that it might be a greater punishment for her partner to talk, she danced and talked at first.He answered her, and fell silent again.After a while of silence like this, she spoke to him again:

"Now it's your turn to say something, Mr. Darcy.—I was talking about dancing, and it's time for you to talk about the size of the drawing room, or how many couples there are or something like that."

He smiled and told her that he would say anything she wanted him to say.

"Well, very well.--That's a fair answer, as it stands.--Perhaps I may add, incidentally, that small balls are much more pleasant than large ones.--Now, we You can be silent."

"So, when you dance, do you still have rules for your speech?"

"Sometimes it does. You know, one has to say a little bit. Otherwise, it would be weird for two people to be silent for half an hour, but considering the need to take care of some people interests, so the conversation should be arranged in such a way as to minimize their labor of speaking."

"Are you thinking of your own feelings on this occasion, or do you think you are doing it to please me?"

"Both," said Elizabeth mischievously, "for I've always found a great similarity in our minds.—we're both sort of loners and reticent unless we It is to say something that shocks everyone, and let people use it as a motto and pass it down to future generations."

"I am sure that your character bears no striking resemblance to it," said he, "and how much mine resembles it, nor can I say.—No doubt you naturally think that you are It's a faithful portrait of character."

"Of course I cannot comment on the accuracy of my own description."

Mr. Darcy made no answer, and there was another silence between them, and it was not until they were down on the dance-floor again that Mr. Darcy asked her if she and her sisters were often at Meryton's.She answered in the affirmative, and then, overwhelmed by the temptation to get to the bottom of it, added: "We had just made a new friend when you met us at Meryton the other day."

The effect of this statement was immediate.A look of arrogance and contempt spread on his face, but he didn't say anything. Although Elizabeth blamed herself for being soft-hearted, she couldn't bring up this topic again.At last it was Mr. Darcy who spoke, with suppressed emotion:
"Mr. Wickham's endearing grace has enabled him to make many friends--but whether he can likewise keep them, it is not certain."

"It is his misfortune to lose your friendship," replied Elizabeth, emphatically, "and the loss of it may cost him his life."

Darcy said nothing, as if wanting to change the subject.At this moment Sir William Lucas approached them, intending to cross the dance-floor to the other side of the drawing-room; but seeing Mr. Darcy, he stopped, bowed very politely, and Praise him for dancing well and finding a partner well.

"I've had a real feast for the eyes today, my dear sir. It's not often you see a dance like this. You're clearly one of the first. I must say, though, that your partner didn't give a damn either." You are ashamed, and I would like to have such pleasures often, my dear Miss Elizabeth, especially when a good thing (he casts his eyes on her sister and Mr. Bingley) comes true. Then it will What a festive scene! I beseech Mr. Darcy,--but let me not disturb you, sir.--You will not thank me for interrupting your sweet conversation with the young lady. Mine, and the young lady's bright eyes are blaming me."

Darcy hardly heard what was said after this, and the hint of Sir William to his friend seemed to shake him very strongly, and his eyes were directed towards Bingley and Jane who were dancing, and the expression on his face It also became extraordinarily serious.However, he soon recovered his composure, and turning to his partner, said:
"Sir William's interruption made me lose my recollection of what we were talking about."

"I don't think at all that we have had any conversation just now. What could Sir William interrupt two people in this room who have nothing to say.—We have tried two or three subjects. , to no avail, and I can hardly imagine what our next topic will be about."

"How about talking about books?" he asked with a smile.

"Books—ah! no.—I don't believe we've ever read the same books, nor read them with the same affection."

"I'm sorry you think so; but, even so, we at least have something to talk about.—We can compare our different views."

"No—I'm not in the mood for books in the ballroom; my mind is always full of other things."

"The here and now always grabs your full attention—doesn't it?" he asked, puzzled.

"Yes, always," she answered, not really knowing what she was talking about, her thoughts having wandered off elsewhere, and this was explained by the following sudden and excited utterance shortly afterwards: The words confirmed: "I remember, Mr. Darcy, you once said that you have always been very hard to forgive people, and that once your grudges are formed, you can't get rid of them. I think that when you make this grudge, you must It's been very cautious."

"Yes," he said, his voice very firm.

"And have you never been blinded by any prejudice?"

"I hope not."

"For those who never change their minds, the onus on them to make good judgment in the first place is enormous."

"May I ask, where do your questions point to?"

"Just to clarify your character," she said, trying to shake off the seriousness of her own face. "I'm trying to figure it out."

"Have you succeeded?"

She shook her head: "I can't go on at all. I've heard a lot of different opinions about you, which makes me very confused."

"I am quite sure," he replied gravely, "that the reports about me will be very inconsistent; and I hope, Miss Bennet, that you will not at this time make any portrayal of my character, as I have reason to fear doing so. I'm afraid it will look disrespectful to both of us."

"But if I don't portray your character now, I may never have the chance again."

"I definitely don't want to spoil any of your interest." He replied coldly.Elizabeth said nothing more, they danced another dance, and parted in silence; both unsatisfied, though in varying degrees, for Darcy's breast was full of strong feelings that would accommodate her. , so quickly forgave her, and turned all his anger on another.

They were not long apart when Miss Bingley came up to her, and said to her with polite contempt:
"Well, Miss Elizabeth, I hear you and Mr. George Wickham are on good terms!—your sister has been talking about him to me, and asking me a great many questions; and I see that the young man forgot I tell you that he was the son of old Wickham, steward of the late Mr. Darcy. But, as a friend, I advise you not to take him too seriously; , is a complete lie; for on the contrary, Mr. Darcy has always been very good to him, though George Wickham has treated Mr. Darcy in the most disreputable manner. I don't know the details. , but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not at all to blame, he cannot bear to hear George Wickham mentioned; He included it, and it turned out that he himself sensibly avoided it, which of course my brother was more than happy. It was so absurd that he went to the country, and I don't know how he dared to do it. Elizabeth I sympathize with you, madam, for the misconduct of the man you like is exposed here; indeed, one cannot expect him to be any better than he is, as far as his parentage is concerned."

"His misbehavior and his parentage seem to you to be equated," said Elizabeth angrily, "for I have never heard of him except that he was the son of Mr. Darcy's steward. I don't hear you accuse him of anything else, and of that I can assure you that he himself has told me."

"Excuse me," returned Miss Bingley, turning away with a hint of sneer. "Forgive me for interrupting.—I mean well."

"A haughty woman!" said Elizabeth to herself, "—you are mistaken if you think you can influence me with this vain attack. I hear it only from you the madness and ignorance of Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Darcy's malice." At last she went to her sister, who had also questioned Bingley on the matter.When Elizabeth came to Jane, there was a sweet and contented smile on her face, and a radiance of happiness that radiated from her whole body, which was enough to explain her joy that she had passed a good evening. ——Elizabeth noticed these feelings of her sister at a glance.For a moment, concern for Wickham, resentment for his enemy, and all other distresses became small, and nothing but wishing for my sister's success in her way to happiness.

"I should like to know," she said, with a smile no less than her sister's, "what you have learned about Mr. Wickham. But you have been in a state of extreme happiness, perhaps regardless of I can't think of a third person anymore; if that's the case, I sure don't mind."

"No," replied Jane, "I haven't forgotten about Wickham; but I can't tell you anything. Mr. Bingley doesn't know him very well, and he doesn't know why he offended Mr. Darcy." The reason for this is also unknown; but he can vouch for his friend's good character and integrity, and he is fully convinced that Mr. Wickham received far more attention from Mr. Darcy than he should have; I must not I am sorry to say that, from what he and his sister have said, Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid that he will be so indulgent and indiscreet in his conduct that he will lose Mr. Darcy's confidence. .”

"Mr. Bingley did not know Mr. Wickham himself?"

"No; he saw him for the first time that morning at Meryton."

"He's got it all from Mr. Darcy, then. I'm perfectly satisfied. What did he say about the vicarage?"

"He does not remember the exact circumstances, and though he has heard it mentioned more than once by Mr. Darcy, he believes that the place was reserved for Mr. Wickham on condition."

(End of this chapter)