Part 27 (1/2)

ELIZABETH.

I do not know anybody who seems more to enjoy the power of doing what he pleases than Mr. Darcy.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

He likes to have his own way very well, but so do we all. It is only that he has better means of having it than many others. [_Looking at his watch._] I suppose I ought to go and look for him now. I expected to find him here, [_With a meaning smile._] as not unfrequently happens.

But since he is not, he probably expects me to meet him at the Crossroads.

ELIZABETH.

I imagine your cousin brought you down with him chiefly for the sake of having somebody at his disposal. I wonder he does not marry to secure a lasting convenience of that kind. But perhaps his sister does as well for the present,--and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he likes with her.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

No--that is an advantage which he must share with me. I am joined with him in the guardians.h.i.+p of Miss Darcy.

ELIZABETH.

Are you, indeed? And pray what sort of a guardian do you make? Does your charge give you much trouble? Young ladies of her age are sometimes a little difficult to manage. And, if she has the true Darcy spirit, she may like to have her own way.

[COLONEL FITZWILLIAM _looks at_ ELIZABETH _very suspiciously as she makes this last remark_.]

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

Why--what?--Why do you suppose Miss Darcy is likely to give us any uneasiness, Miss Bennet?

ELIZABETH.

[_Carelessly._] Oh, nothing at all! You need not be frightened! I never heard any harm of her; she is a great favourite with a lady of my acquaintance--Miss Bingley. I think I have heard you say that you knew Miss Bingley.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

I know her a little. Her brother is a pleasant, gentlemanlike man. He is a great friend of Darcy's.

ELIZABETH.

Oh, yes. Mr. Darcy is uncommonly kind to Mr. Bingley and takes a prodigious deal of care of him.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.