Pagina 802 di 817

"Lady Catherine has been of infinite use, which ought to make her

happy, for she loves to be of use. But tell me, what did you come

down to Netherfield for? Was it merely to ride to Longbourn and

be embarrassed? or had you intended any more serious

consequences?"

"My real purpose was to see you, and to judge, if I could,

whether I might ever hope to make you love me. My avowed one, or

what I avowed to myself, was to see whether your sister was still

partial to Bingley, and if she were, to make the confession to

him which I have since made."

"Shall you ever have courage to announce to Lady Catherine what

is to befall her?"

"I am more likely to want time than courage, Elizabeth. But it

ought to be done; and if you will give me a sheet of paper it

shall be done directly."

"And if I had not a letter to write myself, I might sit by you,

and admire the evenness of your writing, as another young lady

once did. But I have an aunt, too, who must not be longer

neglected."