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

В«That is just what I've supposed about youВ», said Elizabeth.

В«You begin to understand me, don't you?В» cried he, turning towards her.

В«Oh! Yes. I understand you perfectlyВ».

В«I wish I might take this for a compliment, but to be so easily seen through I am afraid isn't flatteringВ».

В«But it does not mean that your character is less admirable than a deep, complex oneВ».

В«LizzyВ», cried her mother, В«remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that we suffer from you at homeВ».

В«The study of character must be amusingВ», Bingley said.

В«Yes, but complex characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantageВ».

В«In a country neighborhoodВ», said Darcy, В«there are not many subjects for such studyВ».

В«But people themselves change so much, that there is always something new to be observed in themВ».

Mrs. Bennet got offended by Darcy's words and said that in the country there was as varied society as that in town.

Darcy didn't say anything to that, and Mrs. Bennet, feeling triumphant, continued.

В«London has no great advantage over the country except the shops and public places. The country is a great deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?В»

В«When l am in the countryВ», he replied, В«I never wish to leave it; and when I am in town it is pretty much the same. They have each their advantages, and I can be equally happy in eitherВ».

В«That is because your nature is so good.

But that gentlemanВ», looking at Darcy, В«seemed to think the country was nothing at allВ».

В«Indeed, Mamma, you are mistakenВ», said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. В«You've quite misunderstood Mr. Darcy. He only meant that you cannot meet such variety of people in the country as in the town, and you know it to be trueВ».

В«Certainly, my dear, but there are few neighborhoods larger than ours. I know we dine with four-and-twenty familiesВ».

For the sake of Elizabeth, Bingley kept himself from smiling.

His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. To turn her mother's thoughts, Elizabeth asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since her coming away.

В«Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, isn't he? So gentle and easy! He has always something to say to everybody.