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

She yawned again, put aside her book, and looked round the room. As she heard her brother mentioning a ball to Miss Bennet, she turned towards him and said:

В«Charles, if are you really serious about a dance at Netherfield, I would advise you to consult the wishes of the present party; I think there are some among us to whom a ball would be rather a punishment than a pleasureВ».

В«If you mean DarcyВ», cried her brother, В«he may go to bed, if he chooses, before it begins. The ball is quite a settled thingВ».

В«I thinkВ», she replied, В«balls would be much better if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of the dayВ».

В«My dear Caroline, it would not be near so much like a ballВ».

Miss Bingley didn't say anything to that, but got up and walked about the room. Her figure was elegant, and she walked well; but Darcy, whom she wanted to attract, was still reading on. She was desperate and decided to make one effort more. She turned to Elizabeth and said:

В«Miss Eliza Bennet, let me persuade you to follow my example, and take a turn about the room.

Elizabeth was surprised, but agreed to it immediately. Miss Bingley succeeded at last: Mr. Darcy looked up. He was also surprised by Miss Bingley's attention to Elizabeth, and involuntarily closed his book. Miss Bingley invited him to join their party, but he said that his joining them would interfere with two motives for their choosing to walk up and down the room together.

В«What could he mean?В» Miss Bingley asked Elizabeth.

В«I don't knowВ», was her answer, В«but I think he means to be severe on us, and the best way to disappoint him will be to ask nothing about itВ».

Miss Bingley, however, was incapable of disappointing Mr. Darcy in anything, and asked him to explain what he had meant by two motives.

В«I'm ready to explain themВ», said he. В«You either have secret affairs to discuss, or you know that your figures are shown to the greatest advantage in walking; if the first, I would be completely in your way, and if the second, I can admire you much better as I sit by the fireВ».

В«Oh! Shocking!В» cried Miss Bingley. В«I never heard anything so abominable. How shall we punish him for such a speech?В»

В«Nothing so easyВ», said Elizabeth. В«Tease him, laugh at him. You know him well; you must know how it is to be doneВ».

В«But I don't know how.