Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 185 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 185

Pride and Prejudice

it remains to be told why my views were directed

towards Longbourn instead of my own neighbourhood,

where I can assure you there are many amiable young

women. But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit

this estate after the death of your honoured father

(who, however, may live many years longer), I could not

satisfy myself without resolving to choose a wife from

among his daughters, that the loss to them might be

as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes

placewhich, however, as I have already said, may not

be for several years. This has been my motive, my fair

cousin, and I flatter myself it will not sink me in your

esteem. And now nothing remains but for me to assure

you in the most animated language of the violence of

my affection. To fortune I am perfectly indifferent, and

shall make no demand of that nature on your father,

since I am well aware that it could not be complied

with; and that one thousand pounds in the four per

cents, which will not be yours till after your mother’s

decease, is all that you may ever be entitled to. On that

head, therefore, I shall be uniformly silent; and you may

assure yourself that no ungenerous reproach shall ever

pass my lips when we are married.”

It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.

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