The Meryton assembly was fully underway. Mr Bingley, much to the delight of almost everyone, was dancing with Jane. Mr Darcy was standing to the side in a very bad mood, and Elizabeth was seated behind him, saying the alphabet backwards in a failing attempt to amuse herself. Mr Bingley joined his friend briefly.
"Come on Darce! You look like you don't want to be here!"
"Fancy that."
"If you don't dance you'll give the wrong impression. Everyone will think you're a stuck up prig."
"Well, I would hate to fool anyone."
"So you'll dance?"
"No."
"But they're all so pretty!"
"No they're not. Your partner's ok, but she smiles like she's had botox i.e. all the time"
Bingley leant in and in a conspiratorial whisper, "You must promise not to tell, but I have sussed her out. She is an angel undercover!" Despite his apparent belief for secrecy, Elizabeth could still hear every word he said.
"Of course" was Darcy's reply.
"But there are lots of other pretty ladies here you could dance with. I'm sure Miss Bennet would introduce you to her "sister", there, behind you."
"If she's so ugly no-one else will dance with her, what in heaven or on Earth makes you think I am going to?"
"Fine then. Speaking of heaven, I will go back and enjoy Jane's smiles, like you suggested."
"I didn't"
"Ah, but you were going to; for I feel that I am in a romantic novel, and that is exactly the sort of thing a sour puss like you would say."
