Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 604 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 604

JANE AUSTEN

absolutely, irrevocably decided against me, you would

have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine, frankly and

openly.”

Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, “Yes,

you know enough of my frankness to believe me

capable of that. After abusing you so abominably to

your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all

your relations.”

“What did you say of me, that I did not deserve?

For, though your accusations were ill-founded, formed

on mistaken premises, my behaviour to you at the time

had merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable.

I cannot think of it without abhorrence.”

“We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame

annexed to that evening,” said Elizabeth. “The conduct

of neither, if strictly examined, will be irreproachable;

but since then, we have both, I hope, improved in

civility.”

“I cannot be so easily reconciled to myself. The

recollection of what I then said, of my conduct, my

manners, my expressions during the whole of it, is now,

and has been many months, inexpressibly painful to

me. Your reproof, so well applied, I shall never forget:

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