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"Did not you think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly

well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a

ball at Meryton?"

"With great energy; but it is a subject which always makes a lady

energetic."

"You are severe on us."

"It will be her turn soon to be teased," said Miss Lucas. "I am

going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows."

"You are a very strange creature by way of a friend!--always

wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my

vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable;

but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who

must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers." On

Miss Lucas's persevering, however, she added, "Very well; if it

must be so, it must." And gravely glancing at Mr. Darcy, "There

is a very fine old saying, which everybody here is of course

familiar with--'Keep your breath to cool your porridge,'--and I

shall keep mine to swell my song."