“Lady Cathere, I have nothg further to say.You know my sentiments.”
“You are then resolved to have him?”
“I have said no such thg. I am only resolved to act that manner,which will, my own opion,constitute my happess, without reference to you,or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”
“It is well.You refuse,then,to oblige me.You refuse to obey the claims of duty,honour,and gratitude.You are determed to ru him the opion of all his friends,and make him the contempt of the world.”
“Neither duty,nor honour,nor gratitude,”replied Elizabeth,“have any possible claim on me, the present stance.No prciple of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr.Darcy.And with regard to the resentment of his family,or the dignation of the world,if the former were excited by his marryg me,it would not give me one moment''s concern—and the world general would have too much sense to jo the scorn.”
“And this is your real opion!This is your fal resolve!Very well.I shall now know how to act.Do not image,Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to fd you reasonable;but,depend upon it,I will carry my pot.”
In this manner Lady Cathere talked on,till they were at the door of the carriage,when,turng hastily round,she added,
“I take no leave of you,Miss Bennet.I send no compliments to your mother.You deserve no such attention.I am most seriously displeased.”
Elizabeth made no answer;and without attemptg to persuade her ladyship to return to the house,walked quietly to it herself. She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs.Her mother impatiently met her at the door of the dressg-room,to ask why Lady Cathere would not come aga and rest herself.
“She did not choose it,”said her daughter,“she would go.”
“She is a very fe-lookg woman! and her callg here was prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collses were well.She is on her road somewhere,I dare say,and so, passg through Meryton, thought she might as well call on you.I suppose she had nothg particular to say to you,Lizzy?”
Elizabeth was forced to give to a little falsehood here;for to acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.
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