But when the gentlemen came in, Jane was no longer the protagonist. Miss Bingley's eyes immediately focused on Mr. Darcy. Jane wanted to say a few words to him when he went ahead, so he stopped to congratulate her politely. Mr. Hurst also bowed slightly to her and said that he was glad that Jane had recovered. But when it comes to thoughtful words and sincere feelings, it can't compare with Mr. Bingley's greetings. Mr. Bingley is full of affection and joy. I spent the first half hour adding coal for fear that the cold in the room would make the patient unbearable. Jane accepted Mr. Bingley's suggestion and moved to the other side of the stove so as to stay away from the door. Then Mr. Bingley sat down next to her and began to talk to her. Elizabeth is doing needlework in the opposite corner. She is very satisfied and happy with all this.
After tea, Mr. Hurst reminded his sister-in-law to clear the card table, but it was useless. She has her own ideas because she knows that Mr. Darcy doesn't like playing cards. Therefore, Mr. Hurst later publicly offered to play cards, and she refused. She told him that no one wanted to play today, and the whole quiet atmosphere seemed to confirm this sentence. Mr. Hurst had nothing to do but lie on the sofa and start to sleep. Mr Darcy picked up a book and Miss Bingley began to read it. Mrs Hurst was so absorbed in playing with her bracelet and ring that she occasionally interrupted her brother's conversation with Miss bonet.
Miss Bingley's attention was completely focused on Mr. Darcy's reading progress. She either asked some questions or bent over to read his book. She couldn't beat him on any question, he just answered the question and went on reading. Finally, Miss Bingley chose that book, because it was the second book that Mr. Darcy read. At first, she tried to read it all, but in the end she found it boring, so she yawned and said, "It's really enjoyable to read at night. I think nothing is more interesting than reading. No matter what you do, you will get bored as soon as you get started, but reading will not be like this! When I have my own house one day, it will be a pity if there is no magnificent library. "
No one answered, so she yawned again, put the book aside and looked around the room for more fun. When she heard her brother mention that she was going to hold a ball for Miss bonet, she suddenly turned to him and said, "So, Charles, are you really going to hold a ball at Netherfield? Before you decide, I suggest that you ask the friends present for their opinions before holding it. Some people in it will think that dancing is suffering, not entertainment. If there is no such person, you can blame me. "
Mr. Bingley began to shout, "If you mean Darcy, he will definitely choose to go to bed before that." But the dance is a decisive thing. As soon as Nichols gets everything ready, I'll send out an invitation. "
Miss Bingley said, "I like dances a little different, so I will like them better." However, it is inevitable that dancing has some ordinary processes, which makes people feel bored. I think it would be more reasonable if talking rather than dancing occupied the home. "
"My dear Caroline, I believe it will be more reasonable, but it's not like dancing."
Miss Bingley was silent, then stood up and walked around the room. She was graceful and light-footed, deliberately showing it to Darcy, but Darcy was not moved at all. So she gave up all her efforts in disappointment and turned to Elizabeth and said, "Miss Elizabeth, please learn from me and walk around the room. I believe that after sitting for so long, walking for a while will definitely refresh you. "
Elizabeth was surprised, but she did it anyway. So the real purpose of Miss Bingley's courtship was achieved-Mr. Darcy looked up, and it turned out that Darcy, like Elizabeth, saw that she was playing tricks to attract attention and unconsciously put down the book. The two ladies immediately asked him to go with them, but he declined. Two ladies invited him to take a walk together, but he refused. According to his imagination, inviting him for a walk is nothing more than two motives. Whichever he chooses will hinder the other. "What does he mean? She is anxious to know his intentions. " Then Miss Bingley asked Elizabeth if she fully understood what he meant.
She said, "Not at all. But from this point of view, he must be deliberately making things difficult for us, but you'd better ignore him and let him down. "
But Miss Bingley can't let Mr. Darcy down in anything, so she repeatedly asked him to explain these two motives.
"I am very willing to explain," he said. "You spent this evening in this way because you are close friends and want to talk about private affairs, or you think your walking posture is charming. If it is the first one, I will join you; If it is the second, I can sit by the fire and appreciate you better. "
"My God!" Cried miss Bingley. "How could he say such cruel things? How do you think we should punish him? "
"If you punish him on purpose, it's the easiest thing," said Elizabeth. "Each other can be punished and tortured. Play tricks on him-laugh at him. Since you are so familiar, you should know how to do it. "
"But I dare not. I assure you that although we know each other well, we are not enough to do so. It is not easy to deal with such a calm and intelligent person. As for laughing at him, you are not angry, and we can't laugh at others out of thin air, but let others laugh. Let Mr. Darcy be complacent. "
"It turns out that Mr. Darcy can't laugh." Elizabeth shouted, "This sense of superiority is really unique. I hope it doesn't stay like this. It's a loss for me to have so many friends. I like to laugh at others too much. "
"Miss Bingley flatter me," said Darcy. If a person regards joking as the most important thing in life, then the smartest and best people, no, the smartest and best behavior-will become ridiculous. "
Elizabeth said, "Yes, there are such people. But I hope I'm not one of them. I hope I won't laugh at any clever or good behavior. Stupidity and boredom, absurdity and contradiction really make me laugh, and I will laugh at it when I think about it. But I think these weaknesses are exactly what you don't have. "
"Maybe it's not for everyone. But this has become a compulsory course in my life. I want to avoid these weaknesses in case extremely smart people will be laughed at. "
"Like vanity and arrogance."
"Yes, vanity is indeed a shortcoming. But arrogance-as long as you are smart, it will become measured. "
Elizabeth turned away to avoid laughing.
"I think your evaluation of Mr. Darcy has been completed," said Miss Bingley. "What was the result?"
"I now fully believe that he has no shortcomings, and he has no disguise at all."
"No," said Mr. Darcy, "I didn't mean that. I have many shortcomings, but none of them are mistakes in understanding. First of all, I can't guarantee how perfect my temper is. I know, I don't like obedience, and I don't like following in everyone's footsteps. I will not easily forget the stupidity and bad habits of others, or the attacks and malice against me. Speaking of some of my emotions, they didn't disappear as soon as I planned to get rid of them. My character can be said to be irritable. Once my good impression or good opinion of something disappears, it will disappear forever. "
"This is indeed a disadvantage." Elizabeth cried after hearing this: "Anger that is hard to quell is really a character defect. But you already have it, I won't laugh at it, don't worry. "
"I believe that it is impossible to overcome some special shortcomings or natural shortcomings through the best education."
"But your weakness is that you tend to hate anyone around you."
"Then your weakness is to misunderstand them." He answered with a smile.
"Let's have some music." Cried miss Bingley, tired of this discussion in which she can't participate. "Louisa, do you mind if I go for a walk with Mr. Hurst?"
Jane immediately became the object of attention, so the piano concert began. Mr. Darcy recalled his previous conversation without regret. Instead, he began to realize the danger of paying too much attention to Elizabeth.