More than once did Elizabeth, in her ramble within the park, unexpectedly meet Mr. Darcy. She felt all the perverseness of the mischance that should bring him where no one else was brought, and, to prevent its ever happening again, took care to inform him at first that it was a favourite haunt of hers. How it could occur a second time, therefore, was very odd! Yet it did, and even a third. It seemed like wilful ill-nature, or a voluntary penance, for on these occasions it was not merely a few formal inquiries and an awkward pause and then away, but he actually thought it necessary to turn back and walk with her...

P&P Chapter 33

"Miss Bennet, good morning."

"Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I did not know you walked this way."

"Not usually."

"This is a favorite walk of mine."

"I see! Now I must work out whether you are telling me 'I walk here often and would not mind accidentally meeting you without breaking propriety,' or the more plausible, 'I walk here often so you should avoid it.'"

"That is a very direct question, Mr. Darcy."

"It was not actually a question – more like an invitation to clarify if you are so inclined."

"I see. Perhaps I should let you make your own interpretation, and then work out which you prefer based on your actions."

"That would show my proclivities easily enough, but I fear it would not shed much light on yours."

"You mean you cannot work it out from my demeanor?"

"You cannot possibly be unaware that my social skills are… er… suboptimal. I prefer not to guess or speculate."

"You would prefer that I be explicit?"

"I know it is a lot to ask."

"This supposes that I have the skills to work out what you are about… a thesis for which there is very little evidence."

"I fear I cannot entirely explain myself until we know each other better, Miss Bennet – and possibly not even then. For the moment, my preference would be to do what makes you happy."

"Neither of the two alternatives presented will make me happy, Mr. Darcy."

"Out of curiosity, why not?"

"Because, sir, while you are quite a confusing man, there is no discernable relationship between our interactions and my happiness. I am generally a happy person, and –despite you obviously being a rude, unpleasant, taciturn sort of man– being in your company has very little effect on me. Besides that – you occasionally say something interesting."

. . . . . .

"You will have to be careful saying such provocative things, Miss Bennet."

"How in the world could that be considered provocative? It is a simple observation of indisputable fact."

"For a man in my position, you have no concept of how rare and treasured true indifference is."

. . . . . .

"I am not entirely indifferent to you, Mr. Darcy. It is just that… well… my happiness is not associated with you in any way."

"I see. Do you consider that an immutable fact?"

"I cannot say, sir. Perhaps, time will tell, but I remain skeptical that it will change significantly."

"As you should, Miss Bennet! As you should. Well, here is the parsonage, so I will bid you good day. Please give my regards to Mr. and Mrs. Collins."

"Good day, Mr. Darcy."

"If that wasn't blatant FLIRTING, I have no idea what the hell it was, Darcy. Are you sure that's the right play? I'm beginning to strongly suspect your objectivity."

"I don't blame you Cuz, but I'm damn near done with the tests. I'm 99% sure she's a lady –not a bot– and that conversation served two purposes. I buried a couple of subtle tests in there –which she passed, by the way– and I'm also trying to dig myself out of the giant hole I dug myself."

"Keep in mine that 'not hating you' and 'loving you enough to marry you' are very different things."

"I'll keep it in mind. For the moment, I find indifference to be an upgrade."

"Hardly surprising, considering the bullshit you spouted in the earliest tests."

"How do you know about that?"

"Bingley isn't exactly silent as the tomb."

"Point taken."

"So, what's next?"

"Stress test. Last one. It should be definitive. Ambush her tomorrow. Tell her you're taking a tour of the park or some such horseshit. Chat her up, and then eventually tell her that I separated Bingley from her sister. Say I found her family unacceptable or I had 'strong objections to the lady' or something like that. I'll talk to her at tea and can tell definitively from the reaction."

"OK, and how in the world are you going to get her to not have your head on a spike after that? Lady or replicant, she's gonna be livid!"

"I'll have to play it by ear, but I have to be sure. If she's a bot, she won't be able to hide her reaction. We'll be in the drawing room with lots of company, so there's no real physical danger. 3000s never break cover for any reason. Once I have her definitively tagged, I can make amends or take action."

"I have to say this sounds like a shit plan, Darce. Best case, she's a woman and she's pissed off at you. Worst case, we're all dead – or maybe with an Elizabot, that's best case. They're reputed to be nasty when they're angry, and there are worse things than a quick and ignominious death."

"Granted, it's not a great plan, but I have to be sure."

"If she is a lady, I doubt this is something you can fix."

"Just do it."

"All right – your funeral."