{{prxprp323.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 323 ||

Chapter LIX

'My dear Lizzy, where can you have been walking to?' was a

question which Elizabeth received from Jane as soon as she

entered the room, and from all the others when they sat down to

table. She had only to say in reply, that they had wandered about

till she was beyond her own knowledge. She coloured as she

spoke; but neither that, nor any thing else, awakened a suspicion

of the truth.

The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extras-

ordinary. The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed; the

unacknowledged were silent. Darcy was not of a disposition

in which happiness overflows in mirth; and Elizabeth, agitated

and confused, rather knew that she was happy, than felt herself

to be so; for, besides the immediate embarrassment, there were

other evils before her. She anticipated what would be felt in

the family when her situation became known; she was aware

that no one liked him but Jane: and even feared that with the

others it was a dislike which not all his fortune and consequence

might do away.

At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion

was very far from Miss Bennet's general habits, she was absolutely

incredulous here.

'You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be! -- engaged to Mr.

Darcy! -- No, no, you shall not deceive me. I know it to be

impossible.'

'This is a wretched beginning indeed! My sole dependence

was on you; and I am sure nobody else will believe me, if you do

not. Yet, indeed, I am in earnest. I speak nothing but the

truth. He still loves me, and we are engaged.'

Jane looked at her doubtingly. 'Oh, Lizzy! it cannot be. I

know how much you dislike him.'

'You know nothing of the matter. That is all to be forgot.

 [[323]]