P&P #10

"While thus engaged, Elizabeth had a fair opportunity of deciding whether she most feared or wished for the appearance of Mr. Darcy, by the feeling which prevailed on his entering the room; and then, though a moment before she believed her wishes to predominate, she began to regret that he came"(Austen 203)

Here, Elizabeth is excited to see Darcy, but she cannot decide what kind of excitement she is feeling. It is only when Darcy entered that she relized her excitement was based off fear of his arrival. Her feelings are comparable to those of a person ascending the lift of a rollercoaster. She is filled with suspense, but does not know whether it is of expectancy of a thrilling ride or fear of the drop. The only way to know is to experience it. Clearly, Elizabeth was not as ready as she thought she was.

"'Yes,' replied Darcy, who could contain himself no longer, 'but that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance"(205)

Earlier in the novel, Darcy descibed his greatest flaw as being that his good opinion, once lost, would be lost forever. Here Darcy shows behavior contradictary to that flaw, once again demonstrating how he has evolved throughout the novel. Also, the fact that he could not just sit there and listen as Caroline belittled Elizabeth shows that he has become more passionate, both in his feelings for Elizabeth and his skills of communication. It seems that at this point, Darcy is flawless.