Elizabeth was delighted to find herself seated between Maria Lucas and Colonel Fitzwilliam at dinner. The seating was not strictly proper, as Miss de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson were out of place, no doubt so Miss de Bourgh might be seated next to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth remembered Mr. Wickham's words concerning Mr. Darcy's engagement to his cousin. She watched them periodically throughout the meal, but neither at that moment nor at any other could she discern any symptom of love. From the whole of his behaviour to Miss de Bourgh, she was made to wonder if Mr. Wickham had been mistaken. However, the upper circles of society often did not demand love in their unions, remaining faithful to the customs of the previous century, when most marriages were formed based on wealth and influence as opposed to tender feelings.

She felt slightly sorry for Mr. Darcy, for what sort of life would that be? While Elizabeth's mother and father were sometimes ill-suited to each other, it was clear to her that there was some affection between the pair. To an observer, her father may have seemed cruel in his teasing, but Elizabeth knew the truth. She saw the way her father's fingers lingered on her mother's hand and the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. Yet she did not wish for a marriage like her parents; although there was love, their personalities did not complement each other. She wished for both compatibility of personality and affection, but perhaps that was too much to ask for with such a meagre portion.

The dinner passed by without much of note. Lady Catherine lectured a great deal while the others pretended to listen. Afterwards, Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins went to an antechamber to discuss his sermon for the next day. Elizabeth thought this rather strange, but supposed Lady Catherine likely approved all his sermons. Perhaps that was why he called so often at Rosings.

Colonel Fitzwilliam reminded Elizabeth of having promised to play the pianoforte for him and she sat down directly to the instrument. He drew a chair near her so he might turn her pages. Mrs. Collins engaged in conversation with her sister and, to a lesser extent, Mr. Darcy. He could not attend to what was being said, for his attention was fixed on the performance. When he could do so without giving offense, Mr. Darcy walked away from the ladies and, with his usual deliberation towards the pianoforte, stationed himself so as to command a full view of the fair performer's countenance. Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause, turned to him with an arch smile, and said, "You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me? I will not be alarmed, though your sister does play so well. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."

"I shall not say you are mistaken," he replied, "because you could not really believe me to entertain any design of alarming you, and I have had the pleasure of your acquaintance long enough to know that you find great enjoyment in occasionally professing opinions, which in fact, are not your own."

Elizabeth laughed heartily at this picture of herself, and said to Colonel Fitzwilliam, "Your cousin will give you a very pretty notion of me, and teach you not to believe a word I say. I am particularly unlucky in meeting with a person so able to expose my real character, in a part of the world where I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit. Indeed, Mr. Darcy, it is very ungenerous in you to mention all that you knew to my disadvantage in Hertfordshire—and, give me leave to say, very impolitic too—for it is provoking me to retaliate, and such things may come out as will shock your relations to hear."

"I am not afraid of you," said he, smilingly.

"Pray let me hear what you have to accuse him of," cried Colonel Fitzwilliam. "I should like to know how he behaves among strangers."

"You shall hear then—but prepare yourself for something very dreadful. The first time of my ever seeing him in Hertfordshire, you must know, was at a ball—and at this ball, what do you think he did? He danced only four dances, though gentlemen were scarce. To my certain knowledge, more than one young lady was sitting down in want of a partner. Mr. Darcy, you cannot deny the fact."

"I had not at that time the honour of knowing any lady in the assembly beyond my own party."

"True, and nobody can ever be introduced in a ballroom. Not even when their friend offers an introduction to a young lady who is sitting down." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at Darcy, and he paled. She had meant only to tease, for the insult was not any longer a source of true vexation to her, but her words had a much greater impact.

"Miss Bennet, I must apologise most sincerely." As Mr Darcy spoke, his face was solemn, and his gaze was unwaveringly fixed on her. "I had a most dreadful headache that evening and as soon as I entered the room, I heard whispers about my income and my person. I was in a foul temper and I, quite unfairly, disparaged you in an attempt to get Bingley to leave me alone."

Colonel Fitzwilliam did not know what had happened between the two, but from what Darcy said, it was not to his credit. Richard tried to make himself invisible, sinking further into the chair and hardly breathing so as to not interrupt the moment by alerting the pair to his presence.

"I accept your apology, sir," said Elizabeth. "I ought not to have brought it up. It was most improper of me."

"Then I am glad for your impropriety. I would not like to have you think badly of me." Darcy smiled at Elizabeth and for the first time, she noticed how lovely his smile was. It lit up his face and his dark eyes shined. He continued to speak then, allowing Elizabeth to regain her composure. "I should have judged better had I sought an introduction, but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers."

"How is it possible that a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill qualified to recommend himself to strangers?" There was no censure in her tone, only curiosity.

"I have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done." Darcy's expression was still the same, but Elizabeth noticed a dullness had crept into his gaze, and he seemed to have a hint of sadness in his dark eyes.

"My fingers do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women's do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I will not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman's of superior execution." Elizabeth tried to make her tone teasing. "I shall never fit Miss Bingley's definition of a truly accomplished lady, for I have not the dedication to care overly much about such things."

Darcy was reminded of his mother's letter. Elizabeth did not believe herself incapable of mastering the pianoforte, she simply employed her time in other ways she preferred. Yet, unlike many accomplished ladies of his acquaintance, she was much better practiced in kindness and wit. Still, while she might not be technically perfect in her playing and singing, he had always enjoyed her performances. "You are perfectly right. You have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you can think anything wanting. Besides that, you are accomplished in conversation and making yourself agreeable, which is of much more importance. Perhaps I ought to have you give me lessons."

"I believe, sir, that I am not so talented as that. I am much too decided in my opinions for one so young." Elizabeth flicked her eyes towards Lady Catherine, who was just then coming into the main room with Mr. Collins.

Colonel Fitzwilliam stifled a laugh. Although he had not heard of that conversation, he could picture his aunt saying such a thing to Miss Bennet. She was a young lady who dared speak her mind, so Lady Catherine would not like her at all.

They were then interrupted by Lady Catherine, who called out to know what they were talking of. Elizabeth immediately began playing again. Lady Catherine approached, and, after listening for a few minutes, said to Darcy, "Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fingering, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would. have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn."

Anne sighed. Her mother always said things such as this, as if she needed reminders she was too sick to dedicate herself to learning an instrument. She was not even certain she was too sick for such an activity, if she truly had an inclination to do so. She did not, though, much preferring to drive her ponies about when she had a bit more strength than was her usual. She did not care to spend more time in the house with her mother. Anne caught Darcy's eye and gave him a look that spoke her feelings. He nodded.

Elizabeth's curiosity was piqued as she observed the pair's interaction. Perhaps there was some affection between them, after all. It did not seem a passionate love, but they might do well enough together.

Lady Catherine continued her remarks on Elizabeth's performance, mixing with them many instructions on execution and taste. Elizabeth received them with all the forbearance of civility, and, at the request of the gentlemen, remained at the instrument till her ladyship's carriage was ready to take them all home.