Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 582 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 582

JANE AUSTEN

“This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on

being satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an

offer of marriage?”

“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.”

“It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the

use of his reason. But your arts and allurements may,

in a moment of infatuation, have made him forget what

he owes to himself and to all his family. You may have

drawn him in.”

“If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.”

“Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not

been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost

the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled

to know all his dearest concerns.”

“But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such

behaviour as this, ever induce me to be explicit.”

“Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which

you have the presumption to aspire, can never take

place. No, never. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter.

Now what have you to say?”

“Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason

to suppose he will make an offer to me.”

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