| — Мисс Элизабет Беннет. |
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| — Мисс Элизабет Беннет? - повторила мисс Бингли. - Признаюсь, я поражена до глубины души! Давно ли она пользуется такой благосклонностью? И скоро ли разрешите пожелать вам счастья? |
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| "You saw me dance at Meryton, I believe, sir." | — Именно тот вопрос, которого я от вас ожидал. Какой стремительностью обладает женское воображение! Оно перескакивает от простого одобрения к любви и от любви к браку в одну минуту. Я так и знал, что вы мне пожелаете счастья. |
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| — Что ж, если вы говорите серьезно, я буду считать дело решенным. У вас будет очаровательная теща, которая, конечно, поселится с вами в Пемберли. |
| "Yes, indeed, and received no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight. Do you often dance at St. James's?" | |
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| "Never, sir." | Мистер Дарси слушал с совершенным безразличием, как она развлекалась подобным образом. И поскольку его спокойствие убедило ее, что на самом деле тревожиться не из-за чего, она продолжала изощряться в такого рода остроумии еще достаточно долго. |
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| "Do you not think it would be a proper compliment to the place?" | |
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| "It is a compliment which I never pay to any place if I can avoid it." | |
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| "You have a house in town, I conclude?" | |
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| Mr. Darcy bowed. | |
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| "I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself—for I am fond of superior society; but I did not feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas." | |
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| He paused in hopes of an answer; but his companion was not disposed to make any; and Elizabeth at that instant moving towards them, he was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing, and called out to her: | |
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| "My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure when so much beauty is before you." And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr. Darcy who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Sir William: | |
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| "Indeed, sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner." | |
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| Mr. Darcy, with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. Elizabeth was determined; nor did Sir William at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion. | |
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| "You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you; and though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour." |