with him to Longbourn before many days had passed after Lady Catherine’s

visit. The gentlemen{449} arrived early; and, before Mrs. Bennet had time to

tell him of their having seen his aunt, of which her daughter sat in

momentary dread, Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed

their all walking out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the

habit of walking, Mary could never spare time, but the remaining five

set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others to

outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, and Darcy

were to entertain each other. Very little was said by either; Kitty was

too much afraid of him to talk; Elizabeth was secretly forming a

desperate resolution; and, perhaps, he might be doing the same.
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.”
“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness{450} first betrayed to

me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could

not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again,