Read Online Pride and Prejudice (Clandestine Classics) by Jane Austen, Amy Armstrong - Free Book Online

you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home.”
    “I did not know before,” continued Bingley immediately, “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 a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society.”
    Elizabeth met Mr Darcy’s gaze and held it with great difficulty. She could feel the burn in her cheeks while she looked at him, but his eyes told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. She tried to put their unexpected kiss out of her mind while she remarked, “But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them forever.”
    “Yes, indeed,” cried Mrs Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. “I assure you there is quite as much of that going on in the country as in town.”
    Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph.
    “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 it not, 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, mamma, you are mistaken,” said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. “You quite mistook Mr Darcy. He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the 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.”
    Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother’s thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte 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 easy! He has always something to say to everybody. That is my idea of good breeding, and those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter.”
    Elizabeth knew her mother spoke of Mr Darcy and was utterly embarrassed on his behalf. To distract her further, she asked, “Did Charlotte dine with you?”
    “No, she would go home. I fancy she was wanted about the mince-pies. For my part, Mr Bingley, I always keep servants that can do their own work. My daughters are brought up very differently. But everybody is to judge for themselves, and the Lucases are a very good sort of girls, I assure you. It is a pity they are not handsome! Not that I think Charlotte so very plain—but then she is our particular friend.”
    “She seems a very pleasant young woman.”
    “Oh dear, yes, but you must own she is very plain. Lady Lucas herself has often said so, and envied me Jane’s beauty. I do not like to boast of my own child, but to be sure, Jane—one does not often see anybody better looking. It is what everybody says. I do not trust my own partiality. When she was only fifteen, there was a man at my brother Gardiner’s in town so much in love with her that my sister-in-law was sure he would make her an offer