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"It taught me to hope," said he, "as I had scarcely ever allowed

myself to hope before. I knew enough of your disposition to be

certain, that had you been absolutely, irrevocably decided

against me, you would have acknowledged it to Lady Catherine

frankly and openly."

Elizabeth coloured and laughed as she replied, "Yes, you know

enough of my frankness to believe me capable of that. After

abusing you so abominably to your face, I could have no scruple

in abusing you to all your relations."

"What did you say of me that I did not deserve? For though your

accusations were ill-founded, formed on mistaken premises, my

behaviour to you at the time had merited the severest reproof. It

was unpardonable. I cannot think of it without abhorrence."

"We will not quarrel for the greater share of blame annexed to

that evening," said Elizabeth. "The conduct of neither, if

strictly examined, will be irreproachable; but since then we have

both, I hope, improved in civility."