Гордість і упередження

           Darcytookupabook;MissBingleydidthesame;andMrs.Hurst,principallyoccupiedinplayingwithherbraceletsandrings,joinednowandtheninherbrother’sconversationwithMissBennet. 

           MissBingley’sattentionwasquiteasmuchengagedinwatchingMr.Darcy’sprogressthroughhisbook,asinreadingherown; andshewasperpetuallyeithermakingsomeinquiry,orlookingathispage. Shecouldnotwinhim,however,toanyconversation;hemerelyansweredherquestion,andreadon. Atlength,quiteexhaustedbytheattempttobeamusedwithherownbook,whichshehadonlychosenbecauseitwasthesecondvolumeofhis,shegaveagreatyawnandsaid, "Howpleasantitistospendaneveninginthisway! Ideclareafterallthereisnoenjoymentlikereading! Howmuchsooneronetiresofanythingthanofabook! WhenIhaveahouseofmyown,IshallbemiserableifIhavenotanexcellentlibrary." 

           Noonemadeanyreply. Shethenyawnedagain,threwasideherbook,andcasthereyesroundtheroominquestforsomeamusement; whenhearingherbrothermentioningaballtoMissBennet,sheturnedsuddenlytowardshimandsaid: 

           "Bythebye,Charles,areyoureallyseriousinmeditatingadanceatNetherfield? Iwouldadviseyou,beforeyoudetermineonit,toconsultthewishesofthepresentparty; Iammuchmistakeniftherearenotsomeamongustowhomaballwouldberatherapunishmentthanapleasure." 

           "IfyoumeanDarcy,"criedherbrother,"hemaygotobed,ifhechooses,beforeitbegins—butasfortheball,itisquiteasettledthing; andassoonasNichollshasmadewhitesoupenough,Ishallsendroundmycards."