With _them_ he is remarkably agreeable." "I do not believe a word of it, my dear.

If he had been so very agreeable, he would have talked to Mrs.Long.But I can guess how it was; everybody says that he is eat up with pride, and I dare say he had heard somehow that Mrs.Long does not keep a carriage, and had come to the ball in a hack chaise." "I do not mind his not talking to Mrs.Long," said Miss Lucas, "but I wish he had danced with Eliza." "Another time, Lizzy," said her mother, "I would not dance with _him_, if I were you." "I believe, ma'am, I may safely promise you _never_ to dance with him." "His pride," said Miss Lucas, "does not offend _me_ so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it.

One cannot wonder that so very fine a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself.

If I may so express it, he has a _right_ to be proud." "That is very true," replied Elizabeth, "and I could easily forgive _his_ pride, if he had not mortified _mine_." "Pride," observed Mary, who piqued herself upon the solidity of her reflections, "is a very common failing, I believe.

By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.