{{prxprp228.jpg}} || 228 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

understood, it was yet a well known fact that on his quitting

Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy

afterwards discharged.

As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening

more than the last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed

long, was not long enough to determine her feelings towards one

in that mansion; and she lay awake two whole hours endeavouring

to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No; hatred

had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed

of ever feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The

respect created by the conviction of his valuable qualities, though

at first unwillingly admitted, had for some time ceased to be

repugnant to her feelings; and it was now heightened into some'

what of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in his

favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a

light, which yesterday had produced. But above all, above

respect and esteem there was a motive within her of goodwill

which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude. Gratitude, not

merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well

enough to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner

in rejecting him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying

her rejection. He who, she had been persuaded, would avoid

her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this accidental meeting, most

eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any indelicate

display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two

selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of

her friends, and bent on making her known to his sister. Such

a change in a man of so much pride excited not only astonishment

but gratitude -- for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed; and

as such its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged, as

by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined.

She respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to him, she felt a

real interest in his welfare; and she only wanted to know how

far she wished that welfare to depend upon herself, and how far

it would be for the happiness of both that she should employ

the power, which her fancy told her she still possessed, of bringing

on the renewal of his addresses.

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