No one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half-deserved.
— I even believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.
— Yes, I did. That was only when I first knew her. For many months now I have considered her one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.
— I believe I can guess your thoughts at this moment.
— I should imagine not.
— You are thinking how insupportable it would be to spend many evenings in such tedious company.
— My mind was more agreeably engaged. I've been meditating on the pleasure, which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.
— And may one dare ask whose are the eyes that inspired these reflections?
— Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
— Miss Eliza Bennet. Let me persuade you to follow my example and take a turn about the room. It's so refreshing! [Elizabeth gets up and walks across the room with Caroline Bingley] Will you not join us, Mr. Darcy?
— That would defeat the object.
— What do you mean, sir? What can he mean?
[Elizabeth} — I think we would do better not to enquire.
— Nay, we insist on knowing your meaning, sir!
— That your figures are to best advantage when walking, and that I might best admire from my present position.
— Shocking! Abominable reply!
![- Miss Eliza Bennet. Let me persuade you to follow my example and take a turn about the room. It's so refreshing! [Elizabeth gets up and walks across the room with Caroline Bingley] Will you not join us, Mr. Darcy?
- That would defeat the object.
- What do you mean, sir? What can he mean?
[Elizabeth} - I think we would do better not to enquire.
- Nay, we insist on knowing your meaning, sir!
- That your figures are to best advantage when walking, and that I might best admire from my present position.
- Shocking! Abominable reply!](https://quoters.info/files/quote-pictures/536845-gordost-i-predubezhdenie-pride-prejudice-1995.png)
![- Miss Eliza Bennet. Let me persuade you to follow my example and take a turn about the room. It's so refreshing! [Elizabeth gets up and walks across the room with Caroline Bingley] Will you not join us, Mr. Darcy?
- That would defeat the object.
- What do you mean, sir? What can he mean?
[Elizabeth} - I think we would do better not to enquire.
- Nay, we insist on knowing your meaning, sir!
- That your figures are to best advantage when walking, and that I might best admire from my present position.
- Shocking! Abominable reply!](https://quoters.info/files/quote-pictures/536845-gordost-i-predubezhdenie-pride-prejudice-1995_0.png)