Darcy's Passions Read Online Free PDF

Darcy’s growing interest in her. Darcy’s desire to know more of her advanced throughout the evening; and as a way to converse with her, he eavesdropped on her conversations with others. His doing so drew Elizabeth’s notice and, eventually, she told Charlotte she would confront him. Therefore, when Darcy came near her, although he
showed no intention of speaking, Elizabeth playfully confronted him. “Did you not think, Mr. Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now, when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?”
    Flustered momentarily that Elizabeth Bennet took note of his attention, Darcy recovered his composure and said, “With great energy; but it is always a subject which makes a lady energetic.” He knew he should walk on, but the need to remain a few moments more in her court overwhelmed him.
    â€œYou are severe on us,” she replied. Darcy quickly assimilated the double meaning to her words. More than likely, Elizabeth still waited for the apology he owed her for his conduct at the assembly.
    Charlotte Lucas, not wishing her friend to offend a man of such high standing in her father’s house, tried to divert Elizabeth.“It will be her turn soon to be teased. I am going to open the instrument, Eliza, and you know what follows.”
    Elizabeth good-naturedly lamented, “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 be 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.” The insult, coated in sweetness in order not to directly offend Darcy, found no such offense; instead, he searched the depths of her eyes.
    Yet, Miss Lucas persevered, and Elizabeth added, “If you insist, dear Charlotte, it must be so.” And gravely glancing at Darcy, she said,“There is a 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.”
    She curtsied and walked toward the instrument. The mocked sincerity with which Elizabeth spoke was not lost on Darcy; and although her use of a common colloquialism should offer him an affront to their respective stations in life, he found an allurement to the possibility of learning something new about Elizabeth Bennet. As casually as he could, he circulated about the room and took up a
position where he could enjoy Elizabeth’s musical turn, as well as take full advantage of observing her profile. Darcy could not believe her performance: The clarity of her voice sliced through him, and he found closing his eyes allowed him to enjoy it even more. Her singing was excellent, and although her performance on the pianoforte lacked faithfulness to the notes, her joy for life captivated him.
    Regretfully, Elizabeth chose to end her performance even though others beseeched her with entreaties to continue. Mary, the plainest Bennet sister, succeeded Elizabeth at the instrument; Mary applied herself more completely than did Elizabeth to her practice and sought the gathering’s appreciation, but Darcy felt if her sister spent more time in cultivating her taste rather than diligence in her application, she too might achieve Elizabeth’s easy and unaffected manner.
    The younger sisters, wanting their share of attention, interrupted Mary’s concerto and demanded she play Scotch and Irish airs, more suitable for dancing with the officers. Darcy, having moved away from the instrument after Elizabeth’s performance, looked on in disgust. He preferred an evening of conversation and, particularly, a chance to converse with Elizabeth Bennet. Engrossed in his thoughts, Sir William Lucas’s approach took him unawares. “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing