Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 349 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 349

Pride and Prejudice

When she came to that part of the letter in which

her family were mentioned in terms of such mortifying,

yet merited reproach, her sense of shame was severe.

The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly for

denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly

alluded as having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as

confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have

made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers.

The compliment to herself and her sister was not

unfelt. It soothed, but it could not console her for the

contempt which had thus been self-attracted by the

rest of her family; and as she considered that Jane’s

disappointment had in fact been the work of her nearest

relations, and reflected how materially the credit of

both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she

felt depressed beyond anything she had ever known

before.

After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving

way to every variety of thought re-considering events,

determining probabilities, and reconciling herself, as

well as she could, to a change so sudden and so impor-

tant, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence,

made her at length return home; and she entered the

house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and

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