One of the most famous extracts from the novel, Austen allows her two protagonists to take each other on in a battle of words and wits, showing up the intellectual superiority of the two in sharp contrast to the superfluous nature of the people around them. Miss Bingley's attempts to attract Darcy's attentions are lost in an extract that enhances Austen's themes, develops her narrative and allows the romantic readers to catch their breath as we see Darcy and Elizabeth begin to fall for each other, despite their independent states of denial.

By way of context, the dialogue between Darcy and Elizabeth takes place following Miss Bingley's attempt to show up Elizabeth's ill breeding by parading around the room in front of Mr Darcy. In Miss Bingley's mind, as they walk their figures would be shown off and hers would emerge as the more desirable because of her...