Pride and Prejudice. Адаптированная книга для чтения на английском языке. Intermediate

Elizabeth stayed with Jane till late in the evening. When her sister fell asleep, it seemed to her rather right than pleasant that she should go downstairs. On entering the drawing-room she found the whole party at cards and was invited to join them. As she suspected that they were playing high, she declined it, and making her sister the excuse, said she would amuse herself for the short time she could stay below, with a book. Mr. Hurst looked at her with astonishment.

В«Do you prefer reading to cards?В» said he, В«that is rather singularВ».

В«Miss Eliza BennetВ», said Miss Bingley, В«is a great reader, and has no pleasure in anything elseВ».

В«I deserve neither such praise nor such criticismВ», exclaimed Elizabeth; В«I am not a great reader, and I have pleasure in many thingsВ».

В«In nursing your sister I am sure you have pleasureВ», said Bingley; В«and I hope the pleasure will soon increase by seeing her quite wellВ».

Elizabeth thanked him from her heart, and then walked towards the table where a few books were lying.

В«But I am an idle fellow, and though I have not many, I have more than I ever looked intoВ».

Elizabeth assured him that she could suit herself perfectly with those in the room.

В«What a delightful library you have at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy!В» Miss Bingley said.

В«It ought to be goodВ», he replied, В«it has been the work of many generationsВ».

В«And you are always buying booksВ».

В«I cannot understand the neglect of a family library at the time like thisВ».

В«Neglect! I am sure you neglect nothing that can add to the beauties of that noble place. Charles, when you build your house, I wish it may be half as delightful as PemberleyВ»

В«I wish it mayВ».

В«And I think you should buy an estate in that neighborhood, and take Pemberley as a model. There is not a finer county in England than DerbyshireВ».

В«With all my heart; I will buy Pemberley itself if Darcy will sell itВ».

В«I am talking of possibilities, CharlesВ».

В«Upon my word, Caroline, I should think it more possible to get Pemberley by purchase than by imitationВ».

Elizabeth got so interested in that conversation that she soon put her book aside and stationed herself between Mr. Bingley and his eldest sister, to watch the game.

Miss Bingley asked Mr.