Link enlightened me on the famous "neither of us perform to

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Link enlightened me on the famous "neither of us perform to Written by Benedicte (5/6/2010 4:30 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, caught by [her manners'] easy playfulness, penned by Stephanie

...strangers"

I am now of opinion that this sentence does not exactly have the same meaning for Darcy and Elizabeth.

As far as Lizzie is concerned, I think we have to take it as a compliment, even though Lizzie did not understand it thus at the time: your easy playfulness is just natural to you; you do not condescend to use arts "for captivation", there is no cunning in you (as opposed to Caroline... See ch8); even here in front of the formidable Lady Catherine, you are able to remain your own (charming!) self, and keep from outright hypocrisy while you can avoid antagonizing her.

On the contrary, I think Darcy senses this peculiarity as a weakness as far as he is concerned: he does not perform to strangers, that is, he is unable to make small talk to people he does not know just for the sake of behaving pleasantly in society (in that he differs from Bingley "I am ill qualified to recommend myself to strangers") but will enjoy conversation when he feels at ease with the company surrounding him, or when he knows there may be a real intellectual intercourse... let's wait for later chapters to expand on the cases when he is able to show his real self.

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caught by [her manners'] easy playfulness Stephanie (5/4/2010 8:59 p.m.)

Link enlightened me on the famous "neither of us perform to Benedicte (5/6/2010 4:30 p.m.)
- (Not) performing to strangers Line (5/7/2010 9:41 a.m.)
Cathy Allen, I love this article Benedicte (5/5/2010 4:21 p.m.)
- YAY! That makes two of us. The author makes a good case. Cathy Allen (5/5/2010 5:13 p.m.)
  - Still not convinced! ;-) Line (5/6/2010 9:59 a.m.)
    - Found my source re JA's dancing Line (5/9/2010 9:16 p.m.)
    - as a step towards conversing [], attended to her conversations Stephanie (5/6/2010 12:09 p.m.)
Conversation in P&P Connie (5/5/2010 9:24 a.m.)
Oh that was was fun to read! Nancy Ann (5/4/2010 9:56 p.m.)
- Elizabeth is a LADY, has good MANNERS, knows ETIQUETTE Cathy Allen (5/5/2010 2:43 p.m.)
- Me, Too Lenora (5/5/2010 9:16 a.m.)
  - Same here! :-) (nfm) Line (5/5/2010 10:55 a.m.)
- In essentials, I believe, he is very much what he ever was Frances G (5/4/2010 11:42 p.m.)
  - It is a GREAT Jane Austen line, I agree with you...and... Cathy Allen (5/5/2010 2:59 p.m.)
    - Holes in the arguments Kathi (5/8/2010 3:06 a.m.)
    - WOW! gianni (5/6/2010 2:14 a.m.)
      - You're welcome; I've enjoyed it very much! (nfm) Cathy Allen (5/6/2010 7:32 p.m.)
    - Wonderful link NFM Frances G (5/6/2010 12:03 a.m.)
    - that analysis was spectacular!!! Thank you! (nfm) LisaS (5/5/2010 10:50 p.m.)
      - Thanks so much! Lenora (5/6/2010 9:41 a.m.)

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