Mr. Darcy, upon seeing Mr. Bennet retreat to his study, rose, and went to follow him. He was all nerves, for, though Mr. Bennet was just and fair, might not be happy upon surrendering his favorite daughter. He wasn't shallow like Mrs. Bennet, and would not care about his ten thousand pounds a year. Mr. Bennet, upon recognizing the presence of another in his special room, acknowledged him.
"Mr. Darcy, what can I do for you? Would you like to borrow a book for the evening?"
"No, sir. It is a more serious matter than that. It is," Mr. Darcy replied and stopped where he was. How could he bring himself to say it? This was by far the most terrifying circumstance he had ever found himself in. He gathered every shred of courage he had left, (most of it had been used upon asking Elizabeth if she would marry him) and completed his sentence. After all, he had come thus far, and he could not back out of it now that he was here.
"It is about Elizabeth. I- I wish to marry her, and she has accepted me, but only after an application to you."
Mr. Bennet did not seem to comprehend what words were being put in the air, and his brows knit in confusion. After a seemingly eternal silence, Mr. Bennet understood what was being said to him. He replied in an unconnected fashion, still in awe of what was being asked of him.
"You- have asked Lizzie to marry you? And she- she has- accepted?"
"Yes. She has," Mr. Darcy said, his discomfort obvious.
"Forgive me, but Lizzie's opinion of you- that is to say, I never saw any mutual feelings between you. How has this come to pass?"
"You might be unaware about the meetings we had in Derbyshire and Kent. You may want to ask her about that, but it has been the desire nearest my heart since before I left this county last year. I may not have expressed it openly, but Elizabeth is the first and only woman to have ever captured my interest."
Mr. Bennet nodded his head, considering. Lizzie had met Mr. Darcy in Derbyshire and Kent? She had not told anyone of this, well, save Jane, he was sure. He converted back to his usual manner, not this state of bewilderment for sure, and asked Mr. Darcy, "And you are sure she marries you for affection?"
Mr. Darcy laughed. "Yes, I am sure of it. Elizabeth, had she been seeking money, would have accepted me last April, when I first applied to her. Apparently, she had no good opinion of me, and I think her conclusions very just. She was deceived by a man experienced in the practice, and I myself showed quite uncivil behavior the last time I was in Hertfordshire. Dancing and balls tend to put me in a poorer mood, and I was forced to attend them by Mr. Bingley, quite against my will."
Mr. Bennet mulled this over. How strange this was! "man experienced in the practice…of deception". He could not make that out. Yes, Mr. Darcy did often grow rather grumpy when at a dance. Mr. Bingley thought very highly of him, so he could not be as bad as he had thought previously this evening. And what was this, about a first proposal? Lizzie had never mentioned one! Of course, she probably wouldn't. He came to his decision at last.
"Yes. Yes, you may marry Elizabeth. However, before you announce this to the rest of the family, let me speak with Elizabeth. Would you mind asking her to see me here?"
Mr. Darcy agreed fervently, and his muscles relaxed in relief. Elizabeth was his at last!