817ページ中42ページ

Of this she was perfectly unaware: to her he was only the man who

made himself agreeable nowhere, and who had not thought her

handsome enough to dance with.

He began to wish to know more of her; and, as a step towards

conversing with her himself, attended to her conversation with

others. His doing so drew her notice. It was at Sir William

Lucas's, where a large party were assembled.

"What does Mr. Darcy mean," said she to Charlotte, "by listening

to my conversation with Colonel Forster?"

"That is a question which Mr. Darcy only can answer."

"But if he does it any more, I shall certainly let him know that

I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do

not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid

of him."

]

On his approaching them soon afterwards, though without seeming

to have any intention of speaking, Miss Lucas defied her friend

to mention such a subject to him, which immediately provoking

Elizabeth to do it, she turned to him and said,--