Chapter 60

           Elizabeth’sspiritssoonrisingtoplayfulnessagain,shewantedMr.Darcytoaccountforhishavingeverfalleninlovewithher. "Howcouldyoubegin?"saidshe. "Icancomprehendyourgoingoncharmingly,whenyouhadoncemadeabeginning;butwhatcouldsetyouoffinthefirstplace?" 

           "Icannotfixonthehour,orthespot,orthelook,orthewords,whichlaidthefoundation. Itistoolongago. IwasinthemiddlebeforeIknewthatIhadbegun." 

           "Mybeautyyouhadearlywithstood,andasformymanners—mybehaviourtoyouwasatleastalwaysborderingontheuncivil,andIneverspoketoyouwithoutratherwishingtogiveyoupainthannot. Nowbesincere;didyouadmiremeformyimpertinence?" 

           "Forthelivelinessofyourmind,Idid." 

           "Youmayaswellcallitimpertinenceatonce. Itwasverylittleless. Thefactis,thatyouweresickofcivility,ofdeference,ofofficiousattention. Youweredisgustedwiththewomenwhowerealwaysspeaking,andlooking,andthinkingforyourapprobationalone. Iroused,andinterestedyou,becauseIwassounlikethem. Hadyounotbeenreallyamiable,youwouldhavehatedmeforit; butinspiteofthepainsyoutooktodisguiseyourself,yourfeelingswerealwaysnobleandjust; andinyourheart,youthoroughlydespisedthepersonswhosoassiduouslycourtedyou. There—Ihavesavedyouthetroubleofaccountingforit;andreally,allthingsconsidered,Ibegintothinkitperfectlyreasonable. Tobesure,youknewnoactualgoodofme—butnobodythinksofthatwhentheyfallinlove." 

           "WastherenogoodinyouraffectionatebehaviourtoJanewhileshewasillatNetherfield?"