，最快更新傲慢与偏见最新章节！“when I consider,”she addeda yet more agitated voice,“that I might have prevented it!I,who knew what h I but explained some partit only—some partwhat I learnt,toown family!Had his character been known,this could not havis all—all too late now.”
“Igrieved indeed,”cried darcy;“grieved—it certain—absolutely certain?”
“oh, yes!They left Brighton togetherSunday night, and were traced almostLondon,but not beyond;they are certainly not goo Scotland.”
“And what has been done,what has been attempted,to recover her?”
“my father has goo London,and Jane has writtenbeguncle's immediate assistance;andshalloff,I hope,i nothing candone—I know very well that nothing can bsucanbe worked on?How are they evenbe discovered?I have not the smallesevery way horrible!”
darcy shook his headsilent acquiescence.
“wheneyes were openedhis real character—oh!had I known what I ought,what I dareddo!But I knew not—I was afraiddoing to,wretched mistake!”
darcy madeemed scarcelyhear her,and was walkingand down the roomearnest meditation,his brow contracted,hissoon observed,and instantly understood it.Her power was sinking;everything must sink under sucrooffamily weakness,suchassurancethe deepes could neither wonder nor condemn,but the beliefhis self-conquest brought nothing consolatoryher bosom, affordedpalliationhe was,the contrary, exactly calculatedmake her understand her own wishes; and never had shehonestly felt that she could have loved him,as now,when all love mustvain.
But self, thoughwould intrude, could not engros—the humiliation,the misery she was bringingthem all, soon swallowedevery private care;and covering her face with her handkerchief,Elizabeth was soon losteverything else;and, afteauseseveral minutes,was only recalleda senseher situationthe voiceher panion,who,ianner which, thoughspoke passion,spoke likewise restraint,said,
“Iafraid you have been long desiringabsence,nor have I anythingpleadexcusemy stay,but real,though unavailinHeaven that anything couldeither saiddonemy part that might offer consolationsuch distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposelyask for you unfortunate affair will, I fear, preventsister's having the pleasureseeing youPemberley to-day.”
“oh,yes.Bekindto apologise forto mis that urgent business callshom the unhappy truthlongitpossible,I knowcannotlong.”
He readily assured herhis secrecy;again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wisheda happier conclusion than there waspresent reasonhope, and leaving his pliments for her relations,with only one serious,parting look,went away.
Asquitted the room,Elizabeth felt how improbablewas that they should ever see each other againsuch termscordialityhad marked their several meetingsderbyshire;andshe threetrospective glance over the wholetheir acquaintance,fullcontradictions and varieties, sighedthe perversenessthose feelings which would now have promoted its continuance,and would formerly have rejoicedits termination.