After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by a lively Scotch air;
and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing near Elizabeth, said to her
— “Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?”
She smiled, but made no answer.
He repeated the question, with some surprise at her silence.
— “Oh!” said she, “I heard you before;
but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply.
You wanted me, I know, to say 'Yes,' that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste;
but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes,
and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt.
I have therefore made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all
— and now despise me if you dare.”
— “Indeed I do not dare.”