WHEN they were gone, Elizabeth, as if intending to exasperate¹（使恼怒） herself as much as possible against Mr. Darcy, chose for her employment the examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her since her being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any revival² of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering. But in all, and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which had been used to characterize her style, and which, proceeding³ from the serenity⁴（平静，宁静） of a mind at ease with itself, and kindly⁵ disposed towards every one, had been scarcely ever clouded. Elizabeth noticed every sentence conveying the idea of uneasiness with an attention which it had hardly received on the first perusal⁶. Mr. Darcy's shameful⁷ boast of what misery⁸ he had been able to inflict⁹ gave her a keener sense of her sister's sufferings. It was some consolation¹⁰（安慰，慰问） to think that his visit to Rosings was to end on the day after the next, and a still greater that in less than a fortnight she should herself be with Jane again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of her spirits by all that affection could do.

She could not think of Darcy's leaving Kent without remembering that his cousin was to go with him; but Colonel Fitzwilliam had made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, she did not mean to be unhappy about him.

While settling this point, she was suddenly roused by the sound of the door bell, and her spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Colonel Fitzwilliam himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to enquire¹¹ particularly after her. But this idea was soon banished¹², and her spirits were very differently affected¹³, when, to her utter amazement¹⁴, she saw Mr. Darcy walk into the room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an enquiry after her health, imputing¹⁵ his visit to a wish of hearing that she were better. She answered him with cold civility（礼貌，端庄） . He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated¹⁶（激动的，焦虑的） manner, and thus began,

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently¹⁷ I admire and love you.''

Elizabeth's astonishment¹⁸ was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement, and the avowal¹⁹ of all that he felt and had long felt for her immediately followed. He spoke²⁰ well, but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed²¹, and he was not more eloquent²² on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority -- of its being a degradation²³ -- of the family obstacles which judgment²⁴ had always opposed to inclination²⁵, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment²⁶（愤恨，怨恨） by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion²⁷ in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment²⁸ which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable²⁹ answer. He spoke of apprehension³⁰ and anxiety, but his countenance³¹ expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said,

"In such cases as this, it is, I believe, the established mode to express a sense of obligation for the sentiments（感情，情绪） avowed³², however unequally they may be returned. It is natural that obligation should be felt, and if I could feel gratitude³³, I would now thank you. But I cannot -- I have never desired your good opinion, and you have certainly bestowed³⁴ it most unwillingly³⁵. I am sorry to have occasioned pain to any one. It has been most unconsciously done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. The feelings which, you tell me, have long prevented the acknowledgment of your regard, can have little difficulty in overcoming it after this explanation.''