第131章[第1頁/共5頁]

“Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbid it. Yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all.You will be censured,slighted,and despised,by everyone connected with him.Your alliance will be a disgrace;your name will never even be mentioned by any of us.”

“Your ladyship has declared it to be impossible.”

“If I have,I shall be the last person to confess it.”

“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.”

“Tell me once for all,are you engaged to him?”

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