Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 603 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 603

Pride and Prejudice

in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able

to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the

expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face,

became him; but, though she could not look, she could

listen, and he told her of feelings, which, in proving of

what importance she was to him, made his affection

every moment more valuable.

They walked on, without knowing in what direction.

There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for

attention to any other objects. She soon learnt that they

were indebted for their present good understanding

to the efforts of his aunt, who did call on him in her

return through London, and there relate her journey

to Longbourn, its motive, and the substance of her

conversation with Elizabeth; dwelling emphatically on

every expression of the latter which, in her ladyship’s

apprehension, peculiarly denoted her perverseness and

assurance; in the belief that such a relation must assist

her endeavours to obtain that promise from her nephew

which she had refused to give. But, unluckily for her

ladyship, its effect had been exactly contrariwise.

“It taught me to hope,” said he, “as I had scarcely

ever allowed myself to hope before. I knew enough

of your disposition to be certain that, had you been

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