पृष्ठ 364 / 817

"My fingers," said Elizabeth, "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 would 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."

Darcy smiled and said, "You are perfectly right. You have

employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege

of hearing you can think anything wanting. We neither of us

perform to strangers."

Here they were 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,--