 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,« he coldly replied. She
said no more, and they went down the other dance and parted in silence; on each
side dissatisfied, though not to an equal degree, for in Darcy's breast there
was a tolerable powerful feeling towards her, which soon procured her pardon,
and directed all his anger against another.
    They had not long separated when Miss Bingley came towards her, and with an
expression of civil disdain thus accosted her,
    »So, Miss Eliza, I hear you are quite delighted with George Wickham! - Your
sister has been talking to me about him, and asking me a thousand questions; and
I find that the young man forgot to tell you, among his other communications,
that he was the son of old Wickham, the late Mr. Darcy's steward. Let me
recommend you, however, as a friend, not to give implicit confidence to all his
assertions; for as to Mr. Darcy's using him ill, it is perfectly false; for, on
the contrary, he has been always remarkably kind to him, though George Wickham
has treated Mr. Darcy in a most infamous manner. I do not know the particulars,
but I know very well that Mr. Darcy is not in the least to blame, that he cannot
bear to hear George Wickham mentioned, and that though my brother thought he
could not well avoid including him in his invitation to the officers, he was
excessively glad to find that he had taken himself out of the way. His coming
into the country at all, is a most insolent thing indeed, and I wonder how he
could presume to do it. I pity you, Miss Eliza, for this discovery of your
favourite's guilt; but really considering his descent, one could not expect much
better.«
    »His guilt and his descent appear by your account to be the same,« said
Elizabeth angrily; »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.«
    »I beg your pardon,« replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer.
»Excuse my interference. - It was kindly meant.«
    »Insolent girl!« said Elizabeth to herself
