Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 208 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 208

JANE AUSTEN

“But, my dear sister, can I be happy, even supposing

the best, in accepting a man whose sisters and friends

are all wishing him to marry elsewhere?”

“You must decide for yourself,” said Elizabeth; “and

if, upon mature deliberation, you find that the misery

of disobliging his two sisters is more than equivalent

to the happiness of being his wife, I advise you by all

means to refuse him.”

“How can you talk so?” said Jane, faintly smiling.

“You must know that though I should be exceedingly

grieved at their disapprobation, I could not hesitate.”

“I did not think you would; and that being the case, I

cannot consider your situation with much compassion.”

“But if he returns no more this winter, my choice

will never be required. A thousand things may arise in

six months!”

The idea of his returning no more Elizabeth treated

with the utmost contempt. It appeared to her merely

the suggestion of Caroline’s interested wishes, and she

could not for a moment suppose that those wishes,

however openly or artfully spoken, could influence a

young man so totally independent of everyone.

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