Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 453 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 453

Pride and Prejudice

less an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch

his master and mistress home instantly.

On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to

support herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was

impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from

saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, “Let

me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to

give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you

one? You are very ill.”

“No, I thank you,” she replied, endeavouring to

recover herself. “There is nothing the matter with me.

I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful

news which I have just received from Longbourn.”

She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and

for a few minutes could not speak another word.

Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something

indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compas-

sionate silence. At length she spoke again. “I have just

had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It

cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger sister

has left all her friendshas eloped; has thrown herself

into the power ofof Mr. Wickham. They are gone

off together from Brighton. You know him too well

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