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"Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say. You know my

sentiments."

"You are then resolved to have him?"

"I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that

manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness,

without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected

with me."

"It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey

the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are determined to

ruin him in the opinion of all his friends, and make him the

contempt of the world."

"Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude," replied Elizabeth,

"has any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No

principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr.

Darcy. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the

indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his

marrying me, it would not give me one moment's concern--and the

world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn."