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They walked towards the Lucases', because Kitty wished to call

upon Maria; and as Elizabeth saw no occasion for making it a

general concern, when Kitty left them she went boldly on with him

alone. Now was the moment for her resolution to be executed; and

while her courage was high, she immediately said,--

"Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature, and for the sake of

giving relief to my own feelings care not how much I may be

wounding yours. I can no longer help thanking you for your

unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it

I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I

feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family I should not have

merely my own gratitude to express."

"I am sorry, exceedingly sorry," replied Darcy, in a tone of

surprise and emotion, "that you have ever been informed of what

may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not

think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted."