{{prxprp324.jpg}} || 324 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Perhaps I did not always love him so well as I do now. But in

such cases as these, a good memory is unpardonable. This is the

last time I shall ever remember it myself.'

Miss Bennet still looked all amazement. Elizabeth again, and

more seriously, assured her of its truth.

'Good Heaven! can it be really so! Yet now I must believe

you,' cried Jane. 'My dear, dear Lizzy, I would -- I do congratu^

late you -- but are you certain; forgive the question -- are you quite

certain that you can be happy with him?'

'There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already,

that we are to be the happiest couple in the world. But are you

pleased, Jane? Shall you like to have such a brother?'

'Very, very much. Nothing could give either Bingley or

myself more delight. But we considered it, we talked of it as

impossible. And do you really love him quite well enough?

Oh, Lizzy! do any thing rather than marry without affection.

Are you quite sure that you feel what you ought to do?'

'Oh, yes! You will only think I feel more than I ought to do,

when I tell you all.'

'What do you mean?'

'Why I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley.

I am afraid you will be angry.'

'My dearest sister, now he, be serious. I want to talk very

seriously. Let me know every thing that I am to know, without

delay. Will you tell me how long you have loved him?'

'It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when

it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his

beautiful grounds at Pemberley.'

Another entreaty that she would be serious, however, produced

the desired effect; and she soon satisfied Jane by her solemn

a-ssurances of attachment. When convinced on that article,

Miss Bennet had nothing further to wish.

'Now I am quite happy,' said she, 'for you will be as happy as

myself. I always had a value for him. Were it for nothing but

his love of you, I must always have esteemed him; but now, as

Bingley's friend and your husband, there can be only Bingley and

yourself more dear to me. But, Lizzy, you have been very sly,

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