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"You must not blame my aunt. Lydia's thoughtlessness first

betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of

course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me

thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for that

generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble,

and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering

them."

"If you will thank me," he replied, "let it be for yourself

alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force

to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to

deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I

believe I thought only of you."

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."