Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 594 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 594

JANE AUSTEN

She followed him thither; and her curiosity to

know what he had to tell her was heightened by the

supposition of its being in some manner connected

with the letter he held. It suddenly struck her that it

might be from Lady Catherine; and she anticipated with

dismay all the consequent explanations.

She followed her father to the fire place, and they

both sat down.

He then said, “I have received a letter this morning

that has astonished me exceedingly. As it principally

concerns yourself, you ought to know its contents. I

did not know before, that I had two daughters on the

brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very

important conquest.”

The colour now rushed into Elizabeth’s cheeks in the

instantaneous conviction of its being a letter from the

nephew, instead of the aunt; and she was undetermined

whether most to be pleased that he explained himself at

all, or offended that his letter was not rather addressed

to herself; when her father continued:

“You look conscious. Young ladies have great pene-

tration in such matters as these; but I think I may

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