 with her, when she
found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy, who took her so much by surprise
in his application for her hand, that, without knowing what she did, she
accepted him. He walked away again immediately, and she was left to fret over
her own want of presence of mind; Charlotte tried to console her.
    »I dare say you will find him very agreeable.«
    »Heaven forbid! - That would be the greatest misfortune of all! - To find a
man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! - Do not wish me such an evil.«
    When the dancing recommenced, however, and Darcy approached to claim her
hand, Charlotte could not help cautioning her in a whisper not to be a simpleton
and allow her fancy for Wickham to make her appear unpleasant in the eyes of a
man of ten times his consequence. Elizabeth made no answer, and took her place
in the set, amazed at the dignity to which she was arrived in being allowed to
stand opposite to Mr. Darcy, and reading in her neighbours' looks their equal
amazement in beholding it. They stood for some time without speaking a word; and
she began to imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, and
at first was resolved not to break it; till suddenly fancying that it would be
the greater punishment to her partner to oblige him to talk, she made some
slight observation on the dance. He replied, and was again silent. After a pause
of some minutes she addressed him a second time with,
    »It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. - I talked about the
dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the
number of couples.«
    He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say should be
said.
    »Very well. - That reply will do for the present. - Perhaps by and bye I may
observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. - But now we
may be silent.«
    »Do you talk by rule then, while you are dancing?«
    »Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be
entirely silent for half an hour together, and yet for the advantage of some,
conversation ought to be so arranged as that they may have the trouble of saying
as little as possible.«
    »Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine
that you are gratifying mine?«
    »Both,« replied Elizabeth
