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From such a connection she could not wonder that he should

shrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured

herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational

expectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she was

grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. She became

jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be

benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the

least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she

could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they

should meet.

What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that

the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago

would now have been gladly and gratefully received! He was as

generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex. But

while he was mortal, there must be a triumph.