“‘If! Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourselves? Do you not know that such a report is spread abroad?’
“‘I never heard that it was.’
“‘And can you likewise declare there is no foundation for it?’
“‘I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your Ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.’
“‘This is not to be borne, Miss Bennet, I insist on being satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage?’
“‘Your Ladyship has declared it to be impossible.’”
Her verbal encounters with Darcy are equally characteristic.
“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.’