...had noticed her reading instead of playing cards and his comment was to show that he valued that. And in fact that he considered the improvement of one's mind by extensive reading "more substantial" than possessing "that certain something" in manner of walking, tone of voice, address, expressions, etc. I thought Lizzy kind of bristled at his comment, and, yes, now I can see her response more as a skillful parry than defensiveness! (And I have to say that I would never be able to live up to Darcy's high standards!)