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Elizabeth hesitated; but her knees trembled under her, and she

felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them.

Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though

in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to

fetch his master and mistress home instantly.

On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to support

herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for

Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of

gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is there

nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of

wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill."

"No, I thank you," she replied, endeavouring to recover herself.

"There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well, I am only

distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from

Longbourn."