Austen Said:

“The present always occupies you in such scenes — does it?”

“Yes, always,”

“I remember hearing you once say, Mr. Darcy, that

that

You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being created .”

“I am,”

“And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?”

“I hope not.”

“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly at first.”

“May I ask to what these questions tend?”

“Merely to the illustration of your character,”

“I am trying to make it out.”

“And what is your success?”

“I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.”

“I can readily believe,”

“that reports may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.”

“But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity.”

“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,”

“His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same,”

“for I have heard you accuse him of nothing worse than of being the son of Mr. Darcy's steward, and of that, I can assure you, he informed me himself.”

“Excuse my interference — It was kindly meant.”

“Insolent girl!”

“You are much mistaken if you expect to influence me by such a paltry attack as this. I see nothing in it but your own wilful ignorance and the malice of Mr. Darcy.”

“I want to know,”

“what you have learnt about Mr. Wickham. But perhaps you have been too pleasantly engaged to think of any third person; in which case you may be sure of my pardon.”

“No,”

“I have not forgotten him; but I have nothing satisfactory to tell you.

Mr. Bingley

and

is perfectly convinced that

and I am sorry to say that by his account as well as his sister's, Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man. I am afraid he has been very imprudent, and has deserved to lose Mr. Darcy's regard.”

“Mr. Bingley does not know Mr. Wickham himself?”

“No; he never saw him till the other morning at Meryton.”

“This account then is what he has received from Mr. Darcy. I am satisfied. But what does he say of the living?”

“He does not exactly recollect the circumstances, though he has heard them from Mr. Darcy more than once, but

he believes that

“I have not a doubt of Mr. Bingley's sincerity,”

“but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Mr. Bingley's defense of his friend was a very able one I dare say; but since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learnt the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture to still think of both gentlemen as I did before.”

“You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy!”

Mr. Darcy would consider his addressing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom, rather than a compliment to his aunt;

it was not in the least necessary there should be any notice on either side;

if it were, it must belong to Mr. Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the acquaintance.

His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them,

then it was such a comfort to think how fond the two sisters were of Jane, and to be certain that they must desire the connection as much as she could do. It was, moreover, such a promising thing for her younger daughters, as Jane's marrying so greatly must throw them in the way of other rich men; and lastly, it was so pleasant at her time of life to be able to consign her single daughters to the care of their sister, that she might not be obliged to go into company more than she liked.

Lady Lucas might soon be equally fortunate,

“What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obliged to say nothing he may not like to hear.”

“For heaven's sake, madam, speak lower. What advantage can it be for you to offend Mr. Darcy? You will never recommend yourself to his friend by so doing!”

“That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit.”

having spoken so sensibly,

he was a remarkably clever, good kind of young man.