Chapter 10
The letter, the reel, the shrubbery
English edition
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1 Netherfield stands quiet in its autumn park as evening settles.
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2 Darcy writes while Caroline Bingley presses her attentions upon him.
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3 Caroline Bingley leans toward Darcy with an eager compliment.
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4 Darcy pauses his quill to correct Caroline’s compliment, his eyes remaining on the letter.
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5 Caroline Bingley sweetly renews her request for a message to Darcy’s sister.
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6 Bingley places a card while Mr. Hurst waits comfortably for his turn.
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7 Darcy pauses over his crowded letter to answer Caroline’s lavish praise with dry courtesy.
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8 Elizabeth pauses her needlework, hiding a smile at Caroline's compliments to Darcy
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9 Bingley turns from the card game to tease Darcy about his letter.
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10 Bingley laughs at his careless letters while Hurst attends to his cards
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11 Elizabeth pauses her needlework to turn Bingley’s self-deprecation into a playful compliment.
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12 Darcy lifts his gaze from his unfinished letter, his quill suspended
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13 Bingley lowers his cards as Darcy’s lecture catches his cheerful self-deprecation.
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14 Bingley half-rises from the card table to protest Darcy’s recollection of his morning boast.
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15 Elizabeth sets aside her needlework and spiritedly defends Bingley’s affectionate nature.
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16 Bingley gives an amused shrug, leaving Darcy to explain his own opinions
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17 Darcy turns to the argument, answering gravely, his hand on the unfinished letter
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18 Darcy’s unfinished letter waits beneath a resting quill as the argument claims his attention.
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19 Bingley raises a hand above his curls to measure Darcy's height, clowning fondly
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20 Elizabeth checks her laughter at Darcy's stiff smile as Caroline turns on her brother
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21 Bingley sets down his cards and appeals cheerfully for peace.
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22 Elizabeth ends the argument with an easy dismissal and resumes her needlework.
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23 Darcy’s finished letter lies folded and sealed beside the resting quill.
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24 Caroline Bingley takes her place at the piano-forte as Elizabeth courteously declines to lead.
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25 Caroline and Louisa sing a polished duet while Elizabeth pauses over a music book.
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26 Darcy holds his gaze toward Elizabeth at the pianoforte, his expression grave and unreadable.
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27 Elizabeth turns a page of music at her own pace.
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28 As Caroline plays a lively Scotch air, Darcy approaches Elizabeth by the pianoforte
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29 Darcy repeats his invitation in surprise while Elizabeth pauses mid page-turn
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30 Elizabeth answers Darcy with a raised chin and a smile, music book held to her bodice
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31 Darcy answers Elizabeth’s challenge with unexpected gallantry.
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32 Elizabeth’s surprise softens her challenge into stillness.
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33 Miss Bingley walks on Darcy's arm in the shrubbery, needling him about Elizabeth
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34 Caroline Bingley savours her joke about the Pemberley portraits in the shrubbery
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35 Darcy quietly admits his admiration for Elizabeth’s eyes as he continues along the shrubbery walk.
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36 Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst emerge from a joining walk just as Darcy and Caroline halt at the junction.
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37 Caroline Bingley falters as she fears her remarks have been overheard.
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38 The sisters close ranks around Darcy, leaving Elizabeth a step behind.
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39 Darcy checks his step and turns back toward Elizabeth, proposing the wider avenue.
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40 Elizabeth Bennet laughs toward the departing party, lifting a small farewell wave.
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41 Elizabeth runs lightly down the shrubbery walk, glad to be going home with Jane
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42 The vacant side walk carries the trace of Elizabeth’s cheerful departure.
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