I think I agree
Posted by MB on December 08, 1997 at 14:19:30:
In response to My take on Darcy's intentions that night, written by Bob S. on December 05, 1997 at 17:19:09
] OK, let me try.....
] I think Darcy went to Hunsford that night because he was disappointed at not seeing Elizabeth on his last night at Rosings and because he was concerned about her health. I think that his plans were to get aid for her ailment if she needed it or, if she didn't need aid, talk to her for a few minutes and then leave. I don't think that as he went there he was thinking: "I am going to propose to her"; but I think that he was thinking: "I really like her and she would make a fine wife if it weren't for her really inferior connections." However, when he saw her he realized (or: finally admitted to himself) that he really loved her and he blurted out the proposal.
] Bob S.
This is closest to my view, as well. However, I think he probably had been intending to propose for a (short) while and perhaps now just seized his opportunity, which may account for the apparent "spur-of-the-moment" feelings of some of the above posts. Does that make sense?
As to the "what if" question, I'm with Ann. If he hadn't come to Hunsford that evening, he very well might have tried to arrange a meeting with her via a note or might have sent her a letter. Indeed, when Mr. B. receives his letter from Mr. C. after the Pemberley visit, E. at first has a fleeting thought that that letter might be from D. asking her father's permission to propose (again).
However, corresponding with her would have been a neon sign of his intentions, and this includes having one of his or Lady C.'s servants carry a note to E. at Hunsford. So maybe he wouldn't have done that, after all...
Hmmm...
Michele
:-)
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