Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 623 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 623

Pride and Prejudice

married! Ten thousand a year! Oh, Lord! What will

become of me. I shall go distracted.”

This was enough to prove that her approbation need

not be doubted: and Elizabeth, rejoicing that such an

effusion was heard only by herself, soon went away. But

before she had been three minutes in her own room,

her mother followed her.

“My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing

else! Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! ’Tis

as good as a Lord! And a special licence. You must and

shall be married by a special licence. But my dearest

love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond

of, that I may have it to-morrow.”

This was a sad omen of what her mother’s behaviour

to the gentleman himself might be; and Elizabeth

found that, though in the certain possession of his

warmest affection, and secure of her relations’ consent,

there was still something to be wished for. But the

morrow passed off much better than she expected; for

Mrs. Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended

son-in-law that she ventured not to speak to him, unless

it was in her power to offer him any attention, or mark

her deference for his opinion.

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