I agree that these two quotations capture something about Elizabeth and Darcy's relationship, but I disagree that Darcy has behaved like the perfect Regency gentleman (or the perfect gentleman of any era) so far. I have to go back to the old saying "A gentleman is one who never UNwittingly gives offense." Darcy has unwittingly given offense several times since the beginning of the novel, and not just to Elizabeth.

This honesty business strikes a chord with me, since honesty and non-hypocrisy are important values to me as well. However, I have never been able to understand why it should be that difficult to be both honest *and* kind, and Darcy is certainly showing no sensitivity to Elizabeth's feelings during his proposal! We all know people who use "honesty" as an excuse to criticize others, and I'm afraid Darcy is slipping perilously close to that kind of attitude here...