A few days later, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy arrived at Longbourn. Bingley wanted to be alone with Jane, so he suggested that they all go for a walk. Jane and Bingley soon walked far ahead of the others. Elizabeth, her sister Kitty, and Mr. Darcy walked together, but they were all very quiet.
When they reached the Lucases' house, Kitty left them to visit her friend Maria. Now, Elizabeth and Darcy were alone. Elizabeth decided to be brave.
"Mr. Darcy," she said, "I want to thank you. I am very grateful for what you did for my sister Lydia. Since I found out about your help, I have wanted to tell you how much I appreciate it."
Darcy looked surprised. "I am sorry you found out," he said. "I did not want you to feel that you owed me anything. But if you must thank me, let it be for yourself alone. I thought only of you when I did it."
Elizabeth was too embarrassed to speak. After a moment, Darcy said, "You are too generous to play games with me. If your feelings are still the same as they were last April, tell me now. My love for you has not changed, but one word from you will make me stay silent forever."
Elizabeth forced herself to speak. She told him, though her voice shook, that her feelings had changed completely. She told him she was now happy and grateful to accept him.
Darcy was filled with joy. He looked at her with pure delight. As they walked on, they talked about everything. Elizabeth learned that Lady Catherine’s visit had actually helped! When Lady Catherine told Darcy that Elizabeth refused to promise never to marry him, it gave him hope.
"It taught me to hope," Darcy said. "I knew that if you still hated me, you would have told my aunt the truth."
Elizabeth laughed. "Yes, I am very honest when I dislike someone!"
They talked about their first meeting and the letter Darcy had written her. Darcy felt ashamed of his past behavior.
"I have been a selfish person all my life," he admitted. "My parents spoiled me and taught me to be proud. I thought I was better than everyone else. But you taught me a lesson, Elizabeth. You showed me that I was not as great as I thought."
"I am ashamed of the things I said to you back then," Elizabeth said softly.
"We have both changed for the better," Darcy replied.
Before they returned home, Darcy told her about Bingley and Jane. He admitted that he had told Bingley the truth: that Jane really loved him.
"I also told him I was wrong to interfere before," Darcy said. "He was a little angry that I kept Jane’s presence in London a secret last winter, but he has forgiven me now."
Elizabeth smiled. She was happy for Jane, and she was the happiest woman in the world for herself. When they reached the house, they parted in the hall, both looking forward to their future together.