Jane Austen
deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy's look and
behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single
event, or any particular person, for though they each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the
evening with Mr. Wickham, he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them,
and a ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she had no
disinclination for it.
"While I can have my mornings to myself," said she, "it is enough--I think it is no
sacrifice to join occasionally in evening engagements. Society has claims on us all; and I
profess myself one of those who consider intervals of recreation and amusement as
desirable for everybody."
Elizabeth's spirits were so high on this occasion, that though she did not often speak
unnecessarily to Mr. Collins, she could not help asking him whether he intended to accept
Mr
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