{{prxprp306.jpg}} || 306 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

instantly resolved on setting off for this place, that I might make

my sentiments known to you.'

'If you believed it impossible to be true,' said Elizabeth, colour^

ing with astonishment and disdain, 'I wonder you took the

trouble of coming so far. What could your ladyship propose

by it;'

'At once to insist upon having such a report universally

contradicted.'

'Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,' said

Elizabeth coolly, 'will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed,

such a report is in existence.'

'If! do you, then, pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been

industriously circulated by yourselves J Do you not know that

such a report is spread abroad;'

'I never heard that it was.'

'And can you likewise declare, that there is no foundation for it?'

'I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship.

You may ask questions, which I shall not choose to answer.'

'This is not to be borne. Miss Bennet, I insist on being

satisfied. Has he, has my nephew, made you an offer of marriage J '

'Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.'

'It ought to be so; it must be so, while he retains the use of

his reason. But your arts and allurements may, in a moment of

infatuation, have made him forget what he owes to himself and

to all his family. You may have drawn him in.'

'If I have, I shall be the last person to confess it.'

'Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been

accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest

relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his'

dearest concerns.'

'But you are not entitled to know mine; nor will such behaviour

as this ever induce me to be explicit.'

'Let me be rightly understood. This match, to which you

have the presumption to aspire, can never take place. No, never.

Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now, what have you to say;'

'Only this; that if he is so, you can have no reason to suppose

he will make an offer to me.'

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