Page 45 of A Question of Character

He surrendered with good humor. “You would find Mrs. Hurst perfectly civil. Miss Bingley...is clever.”

“That is never a reassuring beginning.”

“No?”

“No gentleman ever says merely that a lady is clever unless he is searching for another compliment and failing to discover one.”

Mrs. Gardiner hid a smile behind her teacup.

Darcy accepted the correction. “Very well. Miss Bingley possesses wit when she chooses to employ it kindly. Unfortunately, she too often prefers it otherwise.”

Elizabeth rested her elbow upon the arm of the chair.

“And she hopes to marry you.”

The statement was so matter-of-fact that Darcy nearly laughed.

“I believe she hopes for many advantageous things.”

“That was not a denial.”

“No.”

“And what do you do when ambitious ladies pursue you?”

“I disappoint them.”

“How?”

“I continue existing exactly as I always have.”

Elizabeth shook her head.

“That cannot answer every circumstance.”

“It answers more than you suppose.”

“I think there must be another method.”

“There is.”

“And that is?”

Darcy regarded her gravely.

“I become Mr. Darcy.”

She blinked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The gentleman whose manners have acquired so unfortunate a reputation.”

Elizabeth set down her cup.

“You do it intentionally?”

“Often.”