«She, a beauty! I would as soon call her mother a wit.» he said - and, albeit those words are sure to lead the reader into believing it a violent, indignant kind of speech, one would be astonished by their utter coolness -, then elaborated: «I would not call her even pretty - her countenance - nay, her whole person - is nothing exceptional and I dare say she has scarcely a good feature.»
Though Miss. Bingley was most satisfied by this elocution and expressed her agreeent and Mrs. Hurst seemed of a similar mind, their brother could not be pleased by hearing so negative an opinion pronounced about his favourite’s sister, and spoke accordingly.
«But enough of Miss. Elizabeth!» interjected Mrs. Hurst, feeling very much the peacemaker, «Her sister, Jane, is - I believe - a much pleasanter topic and, I am sure, one in which there cannot be two opinions. Is she not a most sweet girl? And so exceedingly handsome!»
Miss. and Mr. Bingley, though each with a different degree of sincerity, voiced their assent, looking at Darcy expectantly.
«Certainly.» he said, at lenght, «I should concede that she is of a disposition that matches her beauty, but she smiles too much - so much that I cannot help thinking artificial such an everlasting serenity.»
Mr. Bingley then cried against such cynism, and that was the end of it."