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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 222
however； to compose herself to answer him with patience； when
he should have done。 He concluded with representing to her the
strength of that attachment which； in spite of all his endeavours；
he had found impossible to conquer； and with expressing his hope
that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand。 As
he said this； she could easily see that he had no doubt of a
favourable answer。 He spoke of apprehension and anxiety； but his
countenance expressed real security。 Such a circumstance could
only exasperate farther； and when he ceased； the colour rose into
her cheeks； and she said；
‘In such cases as this； it is； I believe； the established mode to
express a sense of obligation for the sentiments avowed； however
unequally they may be returned。 It is natural that obligation
should be felt； and if I couldfeel gratitude； I would now thank you。
But I cannot—I have never desired your good opinion； and you
have certainly bestowed it most unwillingly。 I am sorry to have
occasioned pain to any one。 It has been most unconsciously done；
however； and I hope will be of short duration。 The feelings which；
you tell me； have long prevented the acknowledgment of your
regard； can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this
explanation。’
Mr。 Darcy； who was leaning against the mantle…piece with his
eyes fixed on her face； seemed to catch her words with no less
resentment than surprise。 His complexion became pale with
anger； and the disturbance of his mind was visible in every
feature。 He was struggling for the appearance of composure； and
would not open his lips； till he believed himself to have attained it。
The pause was to Elizabeth’s feelings dreadful。 At length； in a
voice of forced calmness； he said；
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 223
‘And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of
expecting！ I might； perhaps； wish to be informed why； with so little
endeavour at civility； I am thus rejected。 But it is of small
importance。’
‘I might as well enquire；’ replied she； ‘why with so evident a
design of offending and insulting me； you chose to tell me that you
liked me against your will； against your reason； and even against
your character？ Was not this some excuse for incivility； if I was
uncivil？ But I have other provocations。 You know I have。 Had not
my own feelings decided against you； had they been indifferent； or
had they even been favourable； do you think that any
consideration would tempt me to accept the man； who has been
the means of ruining； perhaps forever； the happiness of a most
beloved sister？’
As she pronounced these words； Mr。 Darcy changed colour； but
the emotion was short； and he listened without attempting to
interrupt her while she continued。
‘I have every reason in the world to think ill of you。 No motive
can excuse the unjust and ungenerous part you acted there。 You
dare not； you cannot deny that you have been the principal； if not
the only means of dividing them from each other； of exposing one
to the censure of the world for caprice and instability； the other to
its derision for disappointed hopes； and involving them both in
misery of the acutest kind。’
She paused； and saw with no slight indignation that he was
listening with an air which proved him wholly unmoved by any
feeling of remorse。 He even looked at her with a smile of affected
incredulity。
‘Can you deny that you have done it？’ she repeated。
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 224
With assumed tranquillity he then replied； ‘I have no wish of
denying that I did every thing in my power to separate my friend
from your sister； or that I rejoice in my success。 Towards him I
have been kinder than towards myself。’
Elizabeth disdained the appearance of noticing this civil
reflection； but its meaning did not escape； nor was it likely to
conciliate her。
‘But it is not merely this affair；’ she continued； ‘on which my
dislike is founded。 Long before it had taken place； my opinion of
you was decided。 Your character was unfolded in the recital which
I received many months ago from Mr。 Wickham。 On this subject；
what can you have to say？ In what imaginary act of friendship can
you here defend yourself？ or under what misrepresentation； can
you here impose upon others？’
‘You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s concerns；’ said
Darcy in a less tranquil tone； and with a heightened colour。
‘Who that knows what his misfortunes have been； can help
feeling an interest in him？’
‘His misfortunes！’ repeated Darcy contemptuously： ‘yes； his
misfortunes have been great indeed。’
‘And of your infliction；’ cried Elizabeth with energy。 ‘You have
reduced him to his present state of poverty； comparative poverty。
You have withheld the advantages； which you must know to have
been designed for him。 You have deprived the best years of his
life； of that independence which was no less his due than his
desert。 You have done all this！ and yet you can treat the mention
of his misfortunes with contempt and ridicule。’
‘And this；’ cried Darcy； as he walked with quick steps across the
room； ‘is your opinion of me！ This is the estimation in which you
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 225
hold me！ I thank you for explaining it so fully。 My faults； according
to this calculation； are heavy indeed！ But perhaps；’ added he；
stopping in his walk； and turning towards her； ‘these offe