Tuesday, January 20, 2009

" You are too hasty, Sir..."

"You could not make me happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who would make you so.... I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. I thank you again and again for the honour you have done me in your proposals, but to accept them is absolutely impossible. My feelings in every respect forbid it. Can I speak plainer? Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart."

--Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice

2 comments: