SMILES FOR MONDAY

The tumult of her mind, was now painfully great.
She knew not how to support herself, and from
actual weakness sat down and cried for
half-an-hour. Her astonishment, as she reflected
on what had passed, was increased by every
review of it. That she should receive an offer of
marriage from Mr. Darcy! That he should have been
in love with her for so many months! So much in
love as to wish to marry her in spite of all the
objections which had made him prevent his
friend's marrying her sister, and which must
appear at least with equal force in his own case—
was almost incredible! It was gratifying to have
inspired unconsciously so strong an affection.
But his pride, his abominable pride— his
shameless avowal of what he had done with respect
to Jane— his unpardonable assurance in
acknowledging, though he could not justify it,
and the unfeeling manner in which he had
mentioned Mr. Wickham, his cruelty towards whom
he had not attempted to deny, soon overcame the
pity which the consideration of his attachment
had for a moment excited.
from: Pride and Prejudice
by: Jane Austen