Reading: Pride and prejudice.pdf — Chapter Thirty-Four (Abridged)

When she was alone, Elizabeth decided to read all the letters her sister Jane had written to her since she arrived in Kent. The letters did not contain any complaints, but they lacked Jane’s usual cheerfulness. Every line seemed to show a quiet sadness. Elizabeth felt a deep pain for her sister. She knew Mr. Darcy had proudly ruined Jane's chance at happiness with Mr. Bingley.

Suddenly, she was startled by the doorbell. To her great surprise, Mr. Darcy walked into the room. He quickly asked about her health. Elizabeth answered him with cold politeness. He sat down for a few moments, then stood up and walked around the room in a nervous manner. Finally, he came toward her and said:

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how deeply I admire and love you."

Elizabeth was completely shocked. She stared at him and was completely silent. Mr. Darcy thought her silence meant she was encouraging him, so he continued to speak. He spoke well, but he talked as much about his pride as he did about his love. He told her that her family was inferior to his and that marrying her would be a degradation. He explained that he had tried to fight his feelings because of these obstacles, but his love was too strong.

Even though she disliked him, Elizabeth felt a little pity for him at first. However, as he continued to insult her family, her pity turned to anger. When he finished, he looked completely sure that she would say yes.

"It is natural to feel thankful when someone offers their love," Elizabeth said, her cheeks red with anger. "But I cannot thank you. I have never desired your good opinion. You have given it most unwillingly. I am sorry to cause you pain, but I am sure you will get over it quickly."

Mr. Darcy’s face turned pale with shock and anger. He struggled to stay calm. Finally, he forced himself to speak. "And this is the only answer I am to receive? I might wonder why you reject me with so little politeness."

"And I might wonder why you insulted me by saying you love me against your will and reason!" Elizabeth replied. "But I have other reasons to reject you. Do you think I could ever marry the man who ruined the happiness of my most beloved sister?"

Darcy’s expression changed, but he did not interrupt her.

"You cannot deny that you separated Jane and Mr. Bingley!" she cried.

"I have no wish to deny it," Darcy said calmly. "I did everything in my power to separate my friend from your sister, and I am happy with my success."

Elizabeth was furious. "But it is not just Jane! I also know what you did to Mr. Wickham. You destroyed his life and kept him in poverty."

"And this is your opinion of me!" Darcy cried, walking quickly across the room. "Perhaps you would have ignored these faults if I had hidden my struggles and flattered you! If I had used a disguise to hide my feelings regarding your inferior family! But I hate disguise."

"You are mistaken," Elizabeth said coldly. "From the very first moment I met you, your arrogance and selfishness made me dislike you. You are the last man in the world I could ever be convinced to marry."

"You have said quite enough, madam," he said quickly. "Forgive me for wasting your time." He rushed out of the house.

Elizabeth sat down and cried for half an hour, completely overwhelmed by the unbelievable event.