Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 618 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 618

JANE AUSTEN

it was certain that her manner would be equally ill

adapted to do credit to her sense; and she could no more

bear that Mr. Darcy should hear the first raptures of her

joy, than the first vehemence of her disapprobation.

In the evening, soon after Mr. Bennet withdrew to

the library, she saw Mr. Darcy rise also and follow

him, and her agitation on seeing it was extreme. She

did not fear her father’s opposition, but he was going

to be made unhappy; and that it should be through

her meansthat she, his favourite child, should be

distressing him by her choice, should be filling him with

fears and regrets in disposing of herwas a wretched

reflection, and she sat in misery till Mr. Darcy appeared

again, when, looking at him, she was a little relieved

by his smile. In a few minutes he approached the table

where she was sitting with Kitty; and, while pretending

to admire her work said in a whisper, “Go to your father,

he wants you in the library.” She was gone directly.

Her father was walking about the room, looking

grave and anxious. “Lizzy,” said he, “what are you

doing? Are you out of your senses, to be accepting this

man? Have not you always hated him?”

How earnestly did she then wish that her former

opinions had been more reasonable, her expressions

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