صفحة 580 من 817

Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was

walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow

contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed, and

instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything must

sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of

the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn; but

the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to

her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the

contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own

wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have

loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.