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This was a sad omen of what her mother’s behaviour to the gentleman himself might be ; and Elizabeth found that , though in the certain possession of his warmest affection , and secure of her relations ’ consent , there was still something to be wished for . But the morrow passed off much better than she expected ; for Mrs . Bennet luckily stood in such awe of her intended son - in - law , that she ventured not to speak to him , unless it was in her power to offer him any attention , or mark her deference for his opinion . Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains to get acquainted with him ; and Mr . Bennet soon assured her that he was rising every hour in his esteem . “ I admire all my three sons - in - law highly , ” said he . “ Wickham , perhaps , is my favourite ; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane’s . ” CHAPTER LX . ELIZABETH’S spirits soon rising to playfulness again , she wanted Mr . Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her . “ How could you begin ? ” said she . “ I can comprehend your going on charmingly , when you had once made a beginning ; but what could set you off in the first place ? ” “ I cannot fix on the hour , or the spot , or the look , or the words , which laid the foundation . It is too long ago . I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun . ” “ My beauty you had early withstood , and as for my manners — my behaviour to you was at least always bordering on the uncivil , and I never spoke to you without rather wishing to give you pain than not . Now , be sincere ; did you admire me for my impertinence ? ” “ For the liveliness of your mind I did . ” “ You may as well call it impertinence at once . It was very little less . The fact is , that you were sick of civility , of deference , of officious attention . You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking , and looking , and thinking for your approbation alone . I roused and interested you , because I was so unlike them . Had you not been really amiable you would have hated me for it : but in spite of the pains you took to disguise yourself , your feelings were always noble and just ; and in your heart you thoroughly despised the persons who so assiduously courted you . There — I have saved you the trouble of accounting for it ; and really , all things considered , I begin to think it perfectly reasonable . To be sure you know no actual good of me — but nobody thinks of that when they fall in love . ” “ Was there no good in your affectionate behaviour to Jane , while she was ill at Netherfield ? ” “ Dearest Jane ! who could have done less for her ? But make a virtue of it by all means . My good qualities are under your protection , and you are to exaggerate them as much as possible ; and , in return , it belongs to me to find occasions for teasing and quarrelling with you as often as may be ; and I shall begin directly , by asking you what made you so unwilling to come to the point at last ? What made you so shy of me , when you first called , and afterwards dined here ? Why , especially , when you called , did you look as if you did not care about me ? ”
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