{{prxprp316.jpg}} || 316 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Chapter LVIII

Instead of receiving any such letter of excuse from his friend,

as Elizabeth half expected Mr. Bingley to do, he was able to bring

Darcy with him to Longbourn before many days had passed

after Lady Catherine's visit. The gentlemen arrived early; and

before Mrs. Bennet had time to tell him of their having seen his

aunt, of which her daughter sat in momentary dread, Bingley,

who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed their all walking

out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the habit of

walking, Mary could never spare time, but the remaining five

set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the

others to outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth,

Kitty, and Darcy were to entertain each other. Very little was

said by either; Kitty was too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth

was secretly forming a desperate resolution; and, perhaps, he might

be doing the same.

They walked towards the Lucases, because Kitty wished to

call upon Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making

it a general concern, when Kitty left them, she went boldly on

with him alone. Now was the moment for her resolution to be

executed, and, while her courage was high, she immediately said,

'Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and for the sake of

giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be

wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your

unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have

known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how

gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I

should not have merely my own gratitude to express.'

T am sorry, exceedingly sorry,' replied Darcy, in a tone of

surprize and emotion, 'that you have ever been informed of what

may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not

think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.'

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