Pride And Prejudice: What Did Darcy Say to Elizabeth in Proposal

It is one of most wonderful parts that Darcy proposed to Elizabeth. What did Darcy say to Elizabety?

Upon rereading Pride and Prejudice the other day (or perhaps that should be re-re-re-re-re…reading it) I came to a most shocking realisation… The words Mr Darcy uses to propose to Elizabeth for the first time are not actually given to us in the book! We have only the first four introductory sentences of his speech. After that we are given only a summary of the proposal that so offended Elizabeth. Since it’s one of the most important scenes of the story, screenwriters have had to fill in the gaps with their own ideas. I’ve transcribed the most famous attempts to do so, from the 1940, 1980, 1995 and 2005 Pride and Prejudice adaptations. But first, here is the passage from the novel:

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

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority–of its being a degradation–of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, 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 resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all compassion 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 attachment 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 favourable answer. He spoke of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into her cheeks, and she said…

So what exactly provoked Miss Elizabeth into replying with such incivility? Here are the most famous alternatives. Which do you find the most convincing, based on Mr Darcy’s character and the angry reaction it received from Lizzy?

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