Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate

Every savage can danceВ».

Sir William tried to engage Mr. Darcy in conversation, but wasn't successful. He saw Elizabeth moving towards them, and called out to her:

В«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 youВ». Mr. Darcy though very much surprised, was not unwilling to dance with her, but Elizabeth suddenly stepped back and said to Sir William:

В«Really, sir, I have not the least desire of dancing.

Please, don't think that I moved this way in order to ask for a partnerВ».

Mr. Darcy in a very proper manner asked her for the honour to dance with her.

В«Mr. Darcy is all politenessВ», said Elizabeth, smiling, and turned away.

Her refusal had not offended the gentleman, and he was thinking of her with some good nature, when Miss Bingley interrupted his thoughts:

В«I can guess what you are thinking ofВ».

В«I don't think soВ».

В«You are thinking how unbearable it would be to spend many evenings in such society; and indeed I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! Such tastelessness, the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! I would gladly hear your critical remarks on them!В»

В«Your guess is quite wrong, I can assure you. My mind was more pleasingly engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can giveВ».

Miss Bingley looked at him sharply and asked what lady had inspired such thoughts. Mr. Darcy seriously replied:

В«Miss Elizabeth BennetВ».

В«Miss Elizabeth Bennet!В» exclaimed Miss Bingley. В«I am all astonishment. Well, when am I to wish you happiness?В»

В«I was absolutely sure you would ask this very question. A lady's imagination runs exactly this way: from admiration to love, from love to marriageВ».

В«Well, if you are serious about it, the matter is absolutely settled.

You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with youВ».

His indifference to her remarks showed her that all was safe, and she continued to entertain herself in this manner for a long time.

Chapter 7

Mr. Bennet's estate brought him two thousand a year, and, unfortunately for his daughters, was entailed on a distant relative because he had no son of his own. Mrs.