{{prxprp165.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 165 ||

Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no intentions at all,

and agreeable as he was, she did not mean to be unhappy

about him.

While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the

sound of the door bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by

the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once

before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire

particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished, and her

spirits were very differently affected, when, to her utter amazement,

she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In an hurried manner

he immediately began an inquiry after her health, imputing his

visit to a wish of 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 surprized, 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 ardently

I admire and love you.'

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression. She stared,

coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered 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 inclina^

tion, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the

consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to

recommend his suit.

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

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 sub'

sequent language, she lost all compassion in anger. She tried,

however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when

he should have done. He concluded with representing to her

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