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hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold

civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting

up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but

said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came

towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:--

'In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will

not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ar-

dently I admire and love you.'

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She

stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he consid-

ered sufficient encouragement, and the avowal of all that he

felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He

spoke well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart

to be detailed, and he was not more eloquent on the subject of

tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority, of its

being a degradation, of the family obstacles which judgment

had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a

warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wound-

ing, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be in-

sensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and

though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was

at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to

resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compas-

sion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to

answer him with patience, when he should have done. He

concluded with representing to her the strength of that at-

tachment 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 circum-

stance 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 could _feel_ gratitude, I would

now thank you. But I cannot -- I have never desired your

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