{{prxprp321.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 321 ||

and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption; which

naturally leading to the cause of that interruption, she soon

learnt that his resolution of following her from Derbyshire

in quest of her sister, had been formed before he quitted

the inn, and that his gravity and thoughtfulncss there, had

arisen from no other struggles than what such a purpose must

comprehend.

She expressed her gratitude again, but it was too painful a

subject to each, to be dwelt on farther.

After walking several miles in a leisurely manner, and too busy

to know anything about it, they found at last, on examining their

watches, that it was time to be at home.

'What could [have] become of Mr. Binglcy and Jane!' was a

wonder which introduced the discussion of tlxir affairs. Darcy

was delighted with their engagement; his friend had given him

the earliest information of it.

'I must ask whether you were surprized?' said Elizabeth.

'Not at all. When I went away, I felt that it would soon

happen.'

'That is to say, you had given your permission. I guessed

as much.' And though he exclaimed at the term, she found

that it had been pretty much the case.

'On the evening before my going to London,' said he, 'I made

a confession to him, which I believe I ought to have made long

ago. I told him of all that had occurred to make my former

interference in his affairs, absurd and impertinent. His surprize

was great. He had never had the slightest suspicion. I told him,

moreover, that I believed myself mistaken in supposing, as I had

done, that your sister was indifferent to him; and as I could easily

perceive that his attachment to her was unabated, I felt no doubt

of their happiness together.'

Elizabeth could not help smiling at his easy manner of directing

his friend.

'Did you speak from your own observation,' said she, 'when you

told him that my sister loved him, or merely from my information

last spring;'

'From the former. I had narrowly observed her, during the

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