第135章[第1页/共5页]

“We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to that evening,”said Elizabeth.“The conduct of neither,if strictly examined,will be irreproachable;but since then,we have both,I hope,improved in civility.”

Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied,“Yes,you know enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that. After abusing you so abominably to your face,I could have no scruple in abusing you to all your relations.”

Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word.After a short pause,her companion added,“You are too generous to trifle with me.If your feelings are still what they were last April,tell me so at once.My affections and wishes are unchanged,but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”

“It taught me to hope,”said he,“as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.I knew enough of your disposition to be certain that,had you been absolutely,irrevocably decided against me,you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine,frankly and openly.”

They walked on, without knowing in what direction.There was too much to be thought, and felt, and said, for attention to any other objects. She soon learnt that they were indebted for their present good understanding to the efforts of his aunt,who did call on him in her return through London, and there relate her journey to Longbourn, its motive, and the substance of her conversation with Elizabeth;dwelling emphatically on every expression of the latter which, in her ladyship's apprehension, peculiarly denoted her perverseness and assurance; in the belief that such a relation must assist her endeavours to obtain that promise from her nephew which she had refused to give.But,unluckily for her ladyship,its effect had been exactly contrariwise.