पृष्ठ 798 / 817

"I admire all my three sons-in-law highly," said he. "Wickham,

perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband

quite as well as Jane's."

]

CHAPTER LX.

Elizabeth's spirits soon rising to playfulness again, she wanted

Mr. Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her.

"How could you begin?" said she. "I can comprehend your going on

charmingly, when you had once made a beginning; but what could

set you off in the first place?"

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the

words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in

the middle before I knew that I had begun."

"My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners--my

behaviour to you was at least always bordering on the uncivil,

and I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain

than not. Now, be sincere; did you admire me for my

impertinence?"

"For the liveliness of your mind I did."