Seite 774 von 817

"Oh, do not repeat what I then said. These recollections will not

do at all. I assure you that I have long been most heartily

ashamed of it."

Darcy mentioned his letter. "Did it," said he,--"did it soon make

you think better of me? Did you, on reading it, give any credit

to its contents?"

She explained what its effects on her had been, and how gradually

all her former prejudices had been removed.

"I knew," said he, "that what I wrote must give you pain, but it

was necessary. I hope you have destroyed the letter. There was

one part, especially the opening of it, which I should dread your

having the power of reading again. I can remember some

expressions which might justly make you hate me."

"The letter shall certainly be burnt, if you believe it essential

to the preservation of my regard; but, though we have both reason

to think my opinions not entirely unalterable, they are not, I

hope, quite so easily changed as that implies."