Yes, in a way Miss Bingley is speaking of Elizabeth's free
spirit and independent mind. What she means when she speaks of Elizabeth's conceit can
be easily seen in a passage just above this one. Elizabeth responds to Darcy's question
if she wanted to dance a reel by stating:
Oh!...I heard you before; but I could not
immediately determine what to say in reply. You wanted me, I know, to say "Yes," that
you might have the pleasure of despising my taste; but I always delight in overthrowing
those kind of schemes, and cheating a person of their premeditated contempt. I have
therefore made up my mind to tell you that I do not want to dance a reel at all -- and
now despise me if you dare. (Ch. 10, Vol.
1)
In this passage, we see
that not only does Elizabeth make assumptions, she has a very high opinion of her
ability to discern a situation, and she even has a high opinion of her wit. She assumed
a motive for Darcy asking her about dancing and responded in a very ironic
manner.
This response is also an example of impertinence. In order for
her to respond to Darcy in such a way, she assumes that she stands in a place in society
that allows her to do so. Miss Bingley sees Darcy as being socially above her, which is
true, considering who his family members are. Therefore, it is socially unacceptable, or
rude, or impertinent for Elizabeth to joke with Darcy.
However, since
the reader sees Elizabeth in a brighter light than Miss Bingley, what Miss Bingley sees
as conceit and impertinence, the reader can see as freedom of spirit and independence of
mind.
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