“She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me.”
Jane’s eyes were wide with dismay, uncomforted by the mirth sparkling in those of her sister. “Oh my dear Lizzy,” she exclaimed. “Surely that was not what he said. I cannot believe it of him; so very genteel a man, and Mr Bingley spoke so highly of him.”
“Did he?” returned Elizabeth, in high glee. “But I have not done! For Mr Darcy had not done at that time, but went on to say that he was in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men!”
“Nay, Lizzy!” Jane protested, very near real distress. “It cannot be so. Is it not possible for you to have misheard him? There was such a crowd that evening, and the violins played with such spirit.”
Elizabeth shook her head and said with affected reproach: “You wish me to doubt my own senses, which is very ungenerous of you. And may I say, very misguided too, for if you go on as you are, you will be forced to deny the same credit to what I overhead Mr Bingley say about you.”
A touch of heightened colour came into Jane’s cheeks. “Whatever could Mr Bingley have had to say about me?”
“Something far better worth listening to than what his friend had to say,” Elizabeth said archly. “And certainly more astute, for I heard him declare that you were the most beautiful creature he ever beheld.”
A flush of deep crimson passed over Jane’s features and for a moment she was unable to meet even the gaze of her favourite sister. Elizabeth waited, smiling in sisterly pride and keen enjoyment, until Jane began modestly:
“If he truly did say such a thing, I am sure—”
“You may depend upon it that he did,” Elizabeth interrupted her in high spirits. “I heard every word. Shall I give you the whole exchange? Except I shall not do Mr Bingley justice, I am sure. He said first that he had never met with so many pleasant girls in his life as he had that evening, to which Mr Darcy replied: You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room—there, Jane, now you must believe me, for I would not have allowed him to say anything so near the truth if I had been inventing—and then Mr Bingley returned: Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!”
“You take delight in confusing me,” Jane protested, looking as red as her roses.
“I do indeed,” said Elizabeth, affectionately linking her arm with hers. “Almost as much as I delight in complimenting you.”
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