"Pride and Prejudice"
by Jane Austen

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     After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing near Elizabeth, said to her:

     "Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?"

     She smiled, but made no answer. He repeated the question, with some surprise at her silence.

 

     "Oh!" said she, "I heard you before, but I could not immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say 'Yes,' that you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have, therefore, made up my mind to tell you, that I do not want to dance a reel at all--and now despise me if you dare."

     "Indeed I do not dare."

 
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