Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 221 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 221

Pride and Prejudice

that the match might be broken off. Two inferences,

however, were plainly deduced from the whole: one,

that Elizabeth was the real cause of the mischief; and

the other that she herself had been barbarously misused

by them all; and on these two points she principally

dwelt during the rest of the day. Nothing could console

and nothing could appease her. Nor did that day wear

out her resentment. A week elapsed before she could

see Elizabeth without scolding her, a month passed

away before she could speak to Sir William or Lady

Lucas without being rude, and many months were gone

before she could at all forgive their daughter.

Mr. Bennet’s emotions were much more tranquil

on the occasion, and such as he did experience he

pronounced to be of a most agreeable sort; for it

gratified him, he said, to discover that Charlotte Lucas,

whom he had been used to think tolerably sensible,

was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his

daughter!

Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match;

but she said less of her astonishment than of her earnest

desire for their happiness; nor could Elizabeth persuade

her to consider it as improbable. Kitty and Lydia were

far from envying Miss Lucas, for Mr. Collins was only

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