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The evening passed quietly, unmarked by anything extraordinary.

The acknowledged lovers talked and laughed; the unacknowledged

were silent. Darcy was not of a disposition in which happiness

overflows in mirth; and Elizabeth, agitated and confused, rather

knew that she was happy than felt herself to be so; for, besides

the immediate embarrassment, there were other evils before her.

She anticipated what would be felt in the family when her

situation became known: she was aware that no one liked him but

Jane; and even feared that with the others it was a dislike which

not all his fortune and consequence might do away.

At night she opened her heart to Jane. Though suspicion was very

far from Miss Bennet's general habits, she was absolutely

incredulous here.

"You are joking, Lizzy. This cannot be! Engaged to Mr. Darcy! No,

no, you shall not deceive me: I know it to be impossible."