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And with these words he hastily left the room, and Elizabeth

heard him the next moment open the front door and quit the house.

The tumult of her mind was now painfully great. She knew not how

to support herself, and, from actual weakness, sat down and cried

for half an hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected on what had

passed, was increased by every review of it. That she should

receive an offer of marriage from Mr. Darcy! that he should have

been in love with her for so many months! so much in love as to

wish to marry her in spite of all the objections which had made

him prevent his friend's marrying her sister, and which must

appear at least with equal force in his own case, was almost

incredible! it was gratifying to have inspired unconsciously so

strong an affection.