You pretend to be struck down by a sudden affliction that deprives you of speech. 

 

In the family furore that follows, all thoughts of the forthcoming Meryton assembly are forgotten. Mr Bingley marries the first woman thrown at him and is miserable ever after. 

 

You take some comfort in pretending to be mute, especially when you find you can feign deafness just as convincingly.

 

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