Page 396 of 817

"I might as well inquire," replied she, "why, with so evident a

design of offending and insulting me, you chose to tell me that

you liked me against your will, against your reason, and even

against your character? Was not this some excuse for incivility,

if I was uncivil? But I have other provocations. You know I have.

Had not my own feelings decided against you, had they been

indifferent, or had they even been favourable, do you think that

any consideration would tempt me to accept the man who has been

the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most

beloved sister?"

As she pronounced these words, Mr. Darcy changed colour; but the

emotion was short, and he listened without attempting to

interrupt her while she continued,--