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Pride & Prejudice – page 318

JANE AUSTEN

minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner,

and thus began:

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings

will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you

how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression.

She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he

considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal

of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately

followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings

besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was

not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than

of pride. His sense of her inferiorityof its being a

degradationof the family obstacles which judgement

had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with

a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he

was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend

his suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be

insensible to the compliment of such a man’s affection,

and though her intentions did not vary for an instant,

she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive;

till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language,

she lost all compassion in anger. She tried, however, to

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