Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 325 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 325

Pride and Prejudice

a month before I felt that you were the last man in the

world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”

“You have said quite enough, madam. I perfectly

comprehend your feelings, and have now only to be

ashamed of what my own have been. Forgive me for

having taken up so much of your time, and accept my

best wishes for your health and happiness.”

And with these words he hastily left the room, and

Elizabeth heard him the next moment open the front

door and quit the house.

The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great.

She knew not how to support herself, and from actual

weakness sat down and cried for half-an-hour. Her

astonishment, as she reflected on what had passed,

was increased by every review of it. That she should

receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! That

he should have been in love with her for so many

months! So much in love as to wish to marry her in

spite of all the objections which had made him prevent

his friend’s marrying her sister, and which must

appear at least with equal force in his own casewas

almost incredible! It was gratifying to have inspired

unconsciously so strong an affection. But his pride,

his abominable pridehis shameless avowal of what

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