第131章[第1页/共4页]

“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favourite wish of his mother, as well as of hers.While in their cradles, we planned the union: and now, at the moment when the wishes of both sisters would be accomplished is their marriage,to be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth,of no importance in the world, and wholly unallied to the family! Do you pay no regard to the wishes of his friends?To his tacit engagement with Miss de Bourgh?Are you lost to every feeling of propriety and delicacy?Have you not heard me say that from his earliest hours he was destined for his cousin?”

“But you are not entitled to know mine;nor will such behaviour as this,ever induce me to be explicit.”

“That will make your ladyship's situation at present more pitiable;but it will have no effect on me.”

“Whatever my connections may be,”said Elizabeth,“if your nephew does not object to them,they can be nothing to you.”

“Let me be rightly understood.This match,to which you have the presumption to aspire,can never take place.No,never.Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter.Now what have you to say?”

“Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. I am almost the nearest relation he has in the world, and am entitled to know all his dearest concerns.”