Гордость и предубеждение

           Janepicturedtoherselfahappyeveninginthesocietyofhertwofriends,andtheattentionsofherbrother; andElizabeththoughtwithpleasureofdancingagreatdealwithMr.Wickham,andofseeingaconfirmationofeverythinginMr.Darcy’slookandbehavior. ThehappinessanticipatedbyCatherineandLydiadependedlessonanysingleevent,oranyparticularperson,forthoughtheyeach,likeElizabeth,meanttodancehalftheeveningwithMr.Wickham,hewasbynomeanstheonlypartnerwhocouldsatisfythem,andaballwas,atanyrate,aball. AndevenMarycouldassureherfamilythatshehadnodisinclinationforit. 

           "WhileIcanhavemymorningstomyself,"saidshe,"itisenough—Ithinkitisnosacrificetojoinoccasionallyineveningengagements. Societyhasclaimsonusall;andIprofessmyselfoneofthosewhoconsiderintervalsofrecreationandamusementasdesirableforeverybody." 

           Elizabeth’sspiritsweresohighonthisoccasion,thatthoughshedidnotoftenspeakunnecessarilytoMr.Collins,shecouldnothelpaskinghimwhetherheintendedtoacceptMr.Bingley’sinvitation,andifhedid,whetherhewouldthinkitpropertojoinintheevening’samusement; andshewasrathersurprisedtofindthatheentertainednoscruplewhateveronthathead,andwasveryfarfromdreadingarebukeeitherfromtheArchbishop,orLadyCatherinedeBourgh,byventuringtodance. 

           "Iambynomeansoftheopinion,Iassureyou,"saidhe,"thataballofthiskind,givenbyayoungmanofcharacter,torespectablepeople,canhaveanyeviltendency; andIamsofarfromobjectingtodancingmyself,thatIshallhopetobehonouredwiththehandsofallmyfaircousinsinthecourseoftheevening; andItakethisopportunityofsolicitingyours,MissElizabeth,forthetwofirstdancesespecially,apreferencewhichItrustmycousinJanewillattributetotherightcause,andnottoanydisrespectforher."