817ページ中770ページ

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and

anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and

immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand

that her sentiments had undergone so material a change since the

period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude

and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this

reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before; and

he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as

a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been

able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the

expression of heartfelt delight diffused over his face became

him: but though she could not look she could listen; and he told

her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to

him, made his affection every moment more valuable.