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 most 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.

Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had,from the distress of the moment,been led to make Mr.Darcy acquainted with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper termination to the elopement,they might hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.