BINGLEY
Well thank you very much Darcy for almost ruining my introduction
into Meryton society.
DARCY
Society? You call that a society?
BINGLEY
All you had to do was smile and be courteous and perhaps dance with
one or two of the local ladies.
DARCY
The last time I danced with a new acquaintance, Bingley, she ended up
chasing me across all of London and half of Derbyshire.
BINGLEY
Well, this Miss Elizabeth Bennet doesn't appear to be that sort, and
quite frankly, if you had danced with her then it might have helped
me out with her elder sister, about whom I hope to have some saucy
dreams tonight. Surely Miss Elizabeth is as handsome as that
silly Hawthorne girl with whom you danced twice in July at
the Admiral's ball.
DARCY
But Miss Cynthia Hawthorne didn't have the mother that the Bennet
girls are blessed with. Had I danced with Bennet Number Two, her
mother might be the one chasing me across England. I'd get
no peace at all while I'm trapped here.
BINGLEY
Trapped? Well thank you very much. ... Anyway, how
did you enjoy that well-deserved snub from Miss Elizabeth? I dare
say she heard that remark you made about her.
DARCY
What? What remark? What snub?
BINGLEY
Your remark about her being merely tolerable.
DARCY
I said no such thing.
BINGLEY
And when she remarked upon the angle of your nose, Miss Lucas almost
choked on her punch.
DARCY
Well, it doesn't really matter to me. I don't expect to see much
of the Bennet family in the future. ...You don't really
think she heard that remark, do you?
BINGLEY
Well, I certainly hope to see more of the Bennet
family. And I expect you to accompany me when I pay calls
there, hunting trips, that sort of thing. And I was thinking
of throwing a ball here at Netherfield. What do you think?
DARCY
A ball? Oh, I just remembered. I'm needed at Pemberley on that
day.
BINGLEY
Oh no you don't, Darcy!
DARCY
No, she couldn't possibly have heard me.