Mr Darcy. I can go no longer without thanking you for your kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known of it, I've been most anxious to tell you how grateful I am, for my family and for myself.

You must not blame my aunt for telling me. Lydia betrayed it first, and then I couldn't rest till I knew everything. I know what trouble and what mortification it must have cost you.

Please let me say this, please allow me to thank you, on behalf of all my family, since they don't know to whom they are indebted.

If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owes me nothing. As much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you. You're too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are 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 forever.

Oh, my feelings... My feelings are... I am ashamed to remember what I said then. My feelings are so different. In fact, they are quite the opposite.



Lady Catherine told me of her meeting with you. I may say that her disclosure had quite the opposite effect to the one she had intended. It taught me to hope, that I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before. I knew that had you absolutely decided against me, you would have acknowledged it openly.

Yes, you know enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that! After abusing you so ++++bly to your face, I could have no scruple in abusing you to all your relations.

What did you say of me that I did not deserve? My behaviour at the time was unpardonable. I can hardly think of it without abhorrence. Your reproof I shall never forget. "Had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner." You know, how those words have tortured me!

I had the smallest idea of their being taken in such a way.

I can easily believe it. You thought me devoid of every proper feeling, I am sure. The turn of your countenance I shall never forget. You said I could not have addressed you in any way that would have induced you to accept me.

Oh, do not repeat what I said then!

No, I have been a selfish being all my life. As a child I was given good principles, but was left to follow them in pride and conceit. And such I might still have been, but for you. Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!




Engaged to Mr Darcy! No, you are joking. It is impossible!

This is a wretched beginning! If you don't believe me, I'm sure no one else will. Indeed, I am in earnest. He still loves me, and we are engaged.

It can't be true. I know how much you dislike him!

No, t'is all forgotten! Perhaps I didn't always love him as well as I do now. But in such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable.

Dearest Lizzy, do be serious. How long have you loved him?

It's been coming on so gradually, I hardly know. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley!

Lizzy!