The Proposal
Mr. Darcy knelt down in front of Elizabeth and took her hand.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"You once said that I would have to kneel down and propose to show you that I have changed my mind about raising your expectations."
"I also said that I would refuse a proposal."
"You said that you would refuse me because you want a man that respects you. Elizabeth, I have been a very stupid man. I thought that money and connections mattered because society expected that of me. Until I met you, I never had that belief challenged. Then you walked into my life and turned everything upside down. When I first arrived in Hertfordshire, I did not wish to admire anything, so I found nothing to admire. Before you took me to task, I had started to admire your beauty and your wit. I admired that you did not simper and agree with me just because I am rich. I did not warn you about expectations because I thought I had conversed with you too much. I warned you because I realized that I was infatuated with you and I thought by warning you off, I would be able to throw off the infatuation."
"Mr. Darcy, this is hardly…"
"Let me finish, Elizabeth, please. I am going somewhere with this, I promise."
"Very well."
"After you took me to task, I realized how very wrong I was. I had been given good principles by my parents but was left to follow them in pride. Finding something to admire in every person changed my life. It was difficult, but it made me see how very wrong my pride was. Every single person I had looked down on before, I now found something to admire about them. Then there was you. With you, I found something new to admire every time we spoke. Your bravery, your kindness, your intelligence. Every time we met chipped away a little at the surety that I needed to marry into society. Now, I have long known that you are the only woman I could ever marry. I have only waited to try and show you that I do respect you, that I know we are equals. Please, Elizabeth, say you will be my wife."
"My connections to trade? My dowry?"
"I could care less for your dowry. I have money enough for all my needs. And I would be very happy to meet all your connections. If you love them, then they must be worthy people."
"Yes, I will be your wife."
"Elizabeth, you have made me the happiest man alive."
After some time…..
"What of your aunt? Your other family?"
"Aunt Catherine will hate it. Not because of you though. I actually think she likes you a little. You challenge her. She has just held to the belief that I will marry my cousin for so long, she will have a hard time giving it up. My cousins have both approved already. Fitzwilliam told me to get on with it before he tried his luck. My aunt and uncle may take a little more convincing, but I am certain they will come to like you as well. They had an arranged marriage themselves and it worked out well, so they think the rest of us should be happy to have an arranged marriage.