“Mr. Darcy, I noticed at the Meryton assembly that you are a fine dancer, and you and Miss Bingley gave a polished exhibition earlier this evening.” Darcy acknowledged the compliment, but here was another of those pointless discussions for which he had so little patience. He would rather talk about Mr. Robinson’s cow. But not wishing to offend anew, he appeared to be listening with great interest when Sir William announced that the Bennet family had arrived.

Once Bingley saw the Bennets, he nearly tripped over his feet in his efforts to cross a crowded room so that he might greet Miss Bennet. With her sister thus engaged, Miss Elizabeth walked toward Sir William and the gentleman from Derbyshire.

“Miss Elizabeth, we were just speaking of dancing. Mr. Darcy was commenting that it is an amusement appreciated by many cultures around the world, and with his quick wit, he noted that ‘every savage can dance,’” a remark that caused Sir William to laugh heartily. He was clearly delighted to have such an august personage as Mr. Darcy as a guest in his home and thought that with his elevation to the knighthood, the presence of people of rank might be a less rare occurrence at Lucas Lodge.

“What did Mr. Darcy have to say, Sir William? Was he knowledgeable on the subject?” Lizzy asked. “I would not be surprised if he was as it is my experience that those who observe an activity have more to say about it than those actually performing it.” Turning her attention to Mr. Darcy, she continued, “Although we do not have the grand settings of the London balls nor the finest musicians in the land, I believe you will not find us lacking in skill or enthusiasm.”

“Once again you are correct, Miss Elizabeth, and as an observer rather than a participant at the assembly, I can testify that there was no lack of enthusiasm in the hall. In fact, the room could barely contain all the energy given off by the dancers.”