Part 17 (1/2)
BINGLEY.
Oh, come, Darcy! I understand. Set your mind at rest. I am going to London with you, although I must say I do not see the necessity for it.
I think you are exaggerating the effect of any small attentions of mine toward Miss Bennet. However, we will cling together, and fly a common danger.
DARCY.
[_Coldly._] Common danger?
BINGLEY.
[_Smiling._] Yes, common danger! I, too, have eyes. Where will you match the wit and vivacity of Miss Elizabeth Bennet?
DARCY.
[_Quietly._] She is indeed charming, and I admit that were it not for the inferiority of her connections, I might be in some danger. [_Very coolly and confidently._] But they form, for me, an insurmountable barrier against any possible peril.
BINGLEY.
Love laughs at bars, Darcy! [DARCY _looks annoyed_.] No,--I won't! It really is not fair, since it is my fault. You would never have been put to this test if you hadn't been so good as to stay on here with me after that----
[_Stopping suddenly, and with an entire change from his former bantering tone, he says in a hesitating manner._] Darcy, do you really think you should be silent about Wickham?
DARCY.
[_Haughtily._] Decidedly! I do not choose to lay my private affairs before the world.
BINGLEY.
But the fellow is sailing under false colours. You do not know what the result may be. I really must speak of this again, Darcy, even at the risk of offending you. [DARCY _makes an impatient gesture_.] I am truly concerned at the foothold this rascal has already gained in the Bennet family. What he has failed to accomplish once he may succeed in again.
These young ladies have no brother to defend them.
DARCY.
Neither have they the wealth to excite Wickham's cupidity. At any rate I do not wish to be the one to enlighten the neighbourhood. Besides, I understand that he has left Meryton.
BINGLEY.
Even so--I---- [_He is interrupted by_ MISS BINGLEY, _who enters gaily from the drawing-room_.]
MISS BINGLEY.
Ah! Here you are! [_To_ DARCY.] Will you be so kind? [_She holds out her arm for him to clasp her bracelet._] Your sister Georgiana should be here, Mr. Darcy. [_To her brother._] Charles, you should have insisted on her coming.