Chapter 11 59
" But upon my honour , I do not . I do assure you that my intimacy has not yet taught me that . Tease calmness of manner and presence of mind ! No , no--feel he may defy us there . And as to laughter , we will not expose ourselves , if you please , by attempting to laugh without a subject . Mr . Darcy may hug himself ."
" Mr . Darcy is not to be laughed at !" cried Elizabeth . " That is an uncommon advantage , and uncommon I hope it will continue , for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintances . I dearly love a laugh ."
" Miss Bingley ," said he , " has given me more credit than can be . The wisest and the best of men--nay , the wisest and best of their actions--may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke ."
" Certainly ," replied Elizabeth-- " there are such people , but I hope I am not one of them . I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good . Follies and nonsense , whims and inconsistencies , do divert me , I own , and I laugh at them whenever I can . But these , I suppose , are precisely what you are without ."
" Perhaps that is not possible for anyone . But it has been the study of my life to avoid those weaknesses which often expose a strong understanding to ridicule ."
" Such as vanity and pride ."
" Yes , vanity is a weakness indeed . But pride--where there is a real superiority of mind , pride will be always under good regulation ."
Elizabeth turned away to hide a smile .
" Your examination of Mr . Darcy is over , I presume ," said Miss Bingley ; " and pray what is the result ?"
" I am perfectly convinced by it that Mr . Darcy has no defect . He owns it himself without disguise ."