Гордість і упередження

           HoweverlittleMr.Darcymighthavelikedsuchanaddress,hecontentedhimselfwithcoollyreplyingthatheperceivednootheralterationthanherbeingrathertanned,nomiraculousconsequenceoftravellinginthesummer. 

           "Formyownpart,"sherejoined,"ImustconfessthatInevercouldseeanybeautyinher. Herfaceistoothin;hercomplexionhasnobrilliancy;andherfeaturesarenotatallhandsome. Hernosewantscharacter—thereisnothingmarkedinitslines. Herteetharetolerable,butnotoutofthecommonway;andasforhereyes,whichhavesometimesbeencalledsofine,Icouldneverseeanythingextraordinaryinthem. Theyhaveasharp,shrewishlook,whichIdonotlikeatall; andinherairaltogetherthereisaself-sufficiencywithoutfashion,whichisintolerable." 

           PersuadedasMissBingleywasthatDarcyadmiredElizabeth,thiswasnotthebestmethodofrecommendingherself; butangrypeoplearenotalwayswise; andinseeinghimatlastlooksomewhatnettled,shehadallthesuccesssheexpected. Hewasresolutelysilent,however,and,fromadeterminationofmakinghimspeak,shecontinued: 

           "Iremember,whenwefirstknewherinHertfordshire,howamazedweallweretofindthatshewasareputedbeauty; andIparticularlyrecollectyoursayingonenight,aftertheyhadbeendiningatNetherfield,‘Sheabeauty!—Ishouldassooncallhermotherawit.’ Butafterwardssheseemedtoimproveonyou,andIbelieveyouthoughtherratherprettyatonetime." 

           "Yes,"repliedDarcy,whocouldcontainhimselfnolonger,"butthatwasonlywhenIfirstsawher,foritismanymonthssinceIhaveconsideredherasoneofthehandsomestwomenofmyacquaintance." 

           Hethenwentaway,andMissBingleywaslefttoallthesatisfactionofhavingforcedhimtosaywhatgavenooneanypainbutherself.