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威廉爵士是个多么和蔼的人呀，彬格莱先生──他可不是吗？那么时髦的一个人！那么温雅，又那么随便！他见到什么人总要谈上儿句。这就是我所谓的有良好教养；
"I wish I might take this for a compliment; but to be so easily seen through I am afraid is pitiful. "
"That is as it happens. It does not follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours. "
"Lizzy, " cried her mother, "remember where you are, and do not run on in the wild manner that you are suffered to do at home. "
"I did not know before, " continued Bingley immediately, "that your were a studier of character. It must be an amusing study. "
"Yes, but intricate characters are the MOST amusing. They have at least that advantage. "
"The country, " said Darcy, "can in general supply but a few subjects for such a study. In a country neighbourhood you move in a very confined and unvarying society. "
"But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever. "
"Yes, indeed, " cried Mrs. Bennet, offended by his manner of mentioning a country neighbourhood. "I assure you there is quite as much of THAT going on in the country as in town. "
Everybody was surprised, and Darcy, after looking at her for a moment, turned silently away. Mrs. Bennet, who fancied she had gained a complete victory over him, continued her triumph.
"I cannot see that London has any great advantage over the country, for my part, except the shops and public places. The country is a vast deal pleasanter, is it not, Mr. Bingley?"
"When I am in the country, " he replied, "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 either. "
"Aye--that is because you have the right disposition. But that gentleman, " looking at Darcy, "seemed to think the country was nothing at all. "
"Indeed, Mamma, you are mistaken, " said Elizabeth, blushing for her mother. "You quite mistook Mr. Darcy. He only meant that there was not such a variety of people to be met with in the country as in the town, which you must acknowledge to be true. "
"Certainly, my dear, nobody said there were; but as to not meeting with many people in this neighbourhood, I believe there are few neighbourhoods larger. I know we dine with four-and-twenty families. "
Nothing but concern for Elizabeth could enable Bingley to keep his countenance. His sister was less delicate, and directed her eyes towards Mr. Darcy with a very expressive smile. Elizabeth, for the sake of saying something that might turn her mother's thoughts, now asked her if Charlotte Lucas had been at Longbourn since HER coming away.
"Yes, she called yesterday with her father. What an agreeable man Sir William is, Mr. Bingley, is not he? So much the man of fashion! So genteel and easy! He had always something to say to everybody. THAT is my idea of good breeding; and those persons who fancy themselves very important, and never open their mouths, quite mistake the matter. "
