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门关上之后，彬格莱小姐说，“有些女人们为了自抬身价，往往在男人们面前编派女人，伊丽莎白·班纳特就是这样一个女人，这种手段在某些男人身上也许会发生效果，但是我认为这是一种下贱的诡计，一种卑鄙的手腕。”
"All this she must possess, " added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading. "
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing ONLY six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing ANY. "
"Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all this?"
"I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and elegance, as you describe united. "
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied doubt, and were both protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when Mr. Hurst called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going forward.
As all conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.
"Elizabeth Bennet, " said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, "is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a very mean art. "
"Undoubtedly, " replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, "there is a meanness in ALL the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation. Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable. "
Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to continue the subject.
Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so unwilling to comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their wretchedness, however, by duets after supper, while he could find no better relief to his feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every attention might be paid to the sick lady and her sister.
