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"Yes; and I had heard it before. But what is that to me? If there

is no other objection to my marrying your nephew, I shall

certainly not be kept from it by knowing that his mother and aunt

wished him to marry Miss de Bourgh. You both did as much as you

could in planning the marriage. Its completion depended on

others. If Mr. Darcy is neither by honour nor inclination

confined to his cousin, why is not he to make another choice? And

if I am that choice, why may not I accept him?"

"Because honour, decorum, prudence--nay, interest--forbid it.

Yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by

his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the

inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and

despised, by everyone connected with him. Your alliance will be a

disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us."