about the glen as though searching for an appropriate response.
I could not refrain from sympathizing somewhat with his predicament.
“It is of little consequence, sir. I have long been acquainted with Miss Bingley’s disapprobation of me. I fear that I measure up neither to her standards of an accomplished woman nor those of her sister. In truth, I would guess that I have fretted away at least three-quarters of a moment because of the distinct certainty that I never shall.”
He smiled slightly, relief evident in his eyes that I found the remembrance somewhat humorous.
“I hope that you do not count me a conspirator in their accounts. Although their brother and I are good friends, I do not share a similarity of opinions with Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst.”
“Is that so? I must have been mistaken in my first impressions then, for you appeared nigh to identical in manners at the Meryton assembly, again at the party at Lucas Lodge, and at the Netherfield ball. In your censure of Hertfordshire society, I would have judged you and Mr. Bingley’s sisters in perfect agreement. Have no fear, however, that I hold you responsible for their remarks. No, no, I should never accuse you of that — for you bear the onerous task of answering for your own.”
“Oh?” He settled himself against the nearby beech, leaning back against its trunk. “Any in particular?”
I pursed my lips as though combing my memory, searching for the exact statement with which I might confront him. “As I recall, there exists an ample reckoning upon which I might rely.”
“Such as?”
“Well, let me think on the matter.” I pretended to continue my search, tapping my fingers against my chin. “Hmm, this will do, as I consider it a fundamental example.”
I lowered my voice and put on my best rendition of his haughty tone. “Mr. Bingley, I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. That particular declaration certainly signifies.
“And then, of course, I often amuse myself with the recollection of your companion statement — she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy, you need not rely on either Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst for assistance in notable opinions or conversation. You are quite the master of your own.”
He now frowned in earnest, any semblance of a smile quite vanished, as he raked his fingers through his hair. “I regret those statements. They were beneath me, as well as uncalled for and untrue.”
Untrue? This would not do. Surely, he did not intend to compliment me. I would not allow him to persist in that line of speech.
“I see that your memory fails you, sir. Let me refresh it. As I recall, you appeared to be in ill humour the night of the Meryton assembly ball, disdainful of all you surveyed. In truth and in line with your nature, I believe your first account is accurate after all, and I shall not listen to you disavow it at this late date.”
His response was silence and a long, steady gaze placed squarely upon me, a gaze that flustered me somewhat, one from which I eventually turned away.
“It is in the past now, Mr. Darcy. Please do not suffer yourself to think upon it. In truth, I grow weary of thinking, and if you consider it safe to do so, I would benefit from a short nap.”
“Very well,” he replied. “Do not worry for your safety. I shall remain awake and keep watch. I only regret that you must sleep on the ground.”
“Ah,” I said, using my hands to rake up a mound of leaves and then laying my head upon it, “but I have grown accustomed to the absence of a pillow.”
Within moments of closing my eyes, I felt his hand gently lift my head, as he slipped his folded coat beneath it. “Allow me at least this trivial attempt at atonement for my previous blunders.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me by lightly placing his finger against my lips. “Just this once, Miss Bennet, I pray you will favour me
I could not refrain from sympathizing somewhat with his predicament.
“It is of little consequence, sir. I have long been acquainted with Miss Bingley’s disapprobation of me. I fear that I measure up neither to her standards of an accomplished woman nor those of her sister. In truth, I would guess that I have fretted away at least three-quarters of a moment because of the distinct certainty that I never shall.”
He smiled slightly, relief evident in his eyes that I found the remembrance somewhat humorous.
“I hope that you do not count me a conspirator in their accounts. Although their brother and I are good friends, I do not share a similarity of opinions with Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst.”
“Is that so? I must have been mistaken in my first impressions then, for you appeared nigh to identical in manners at the Meryton assembly, again at the party at Lucas Lodge, and at the Netherfield ball. In your censure of Hertfordshire society, I would have judged you and Mr. Bingley’s sisters in perfect agreement. Have no fear, however, that I hold you responsible for their remarks. No, no, I should never accuse you of that — for you bear the onerous task of answering for your own.”
“Oh?” He settled himself against the nearby beech, leaning back against its trunk. “Any in particular?”
I pursed my lips as though combing my memory, searching for the exact statement with which I might confront him. “As I recall, there exists an ample reckoning upon which I might rely.”
“Such as?”
“Well, let me think on the matter.” I pretended to continue my search, tapping my fingers against my chin. “Hmm, this will do, as I consider it a fundamental example.”
I lowered my voice and put on my best rendition of his haughty tone. “Mr. Bingley, I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. That particular declaration certainly signifies.
“And then, of course, I often amuse myself with the recollection of your companion statement — she is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy, you need not rely on either Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst for assistance in notable opinions or conversation. You are quite the master of your own.”
He now frowned in earnest, any semblance of a smile quite vanished, as he raked his fingers through his hair. “I regret those statements. They were beneath me, as well as uncalled for and untrue.”
Untrue? This would not do. Surely, he did not intend to compliment me. I would not allow him to persist in that line of speech.
“I see that your memory fails you, sir. Let me refresh it. As I recall, you appeared to be in ill humour the night of the Meryton assembly ball, disdainful of all you surveyed. In truth and in line with your nature, I believe your first account is accurate after all, and I shall not listen to you disavow it at this late date.”
His response was silence and a long, steady gaze placed squarely upon me, a gaze that flustered me somewhat, one from which I eventually turned away.
“It is in the past now, Mr. Darcy. Please do not suffer yourself to think upon it. In truth, I grow weary of thinking, and if you consider it safe to do so, I would benefit from a short nap.”
“Very well,” he replied. “Do not worry for your safety. I shall remain awake and keep watch. I only regret that you must sleep on the ground.”
“Ah,” I said, using my hands to rake up a mound of leaves and then laying my head upon it, “but I have grown accustomed to the absence of a pillow.”
Within moments of closing my eyes, I felt his hand gently lift my head, as he slipped his folded coat beneath it. “Allow me at least this trivial attempt at atonement for my previous blunders.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me by lightly placing his finger against my lips. “Just this once, Miss Bennet, I pray you will favour me
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