{{prxprp167.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 167 ||

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 for ever, 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.

With assumed tranquillity he then replied, 'I have no wish of

denying that I did everything 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?'

 [[167]]