“I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun” were Mr. Darcy’s words during their engagement with Elizabeth at the end of the book. She asked him when he first noticed that he fell in love with her. Mr. Darcy answers that he did not spot the moment until he was madly in love.
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Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice depicts one of the greatest love stories. The romantic relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth develops steadily throughout the novel. The line becomes more intricate with each chapter. As the characters get engaged, they open up about their feelings. It occurs at the very end of the novel. While in a playful mood, Elizabeth decides to find out how Mr. Darcy fell in love with her.
“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago,” said he in a sorry manner. “I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun,” he follows. He confesses that it does not even matter anymore as he started loving her even more when they decided to be together. Elizabeth is flattered, even though she responds to such a revelation somewhat ironically. The reason for that is that she reminds herself of being rude to him and wished him pain. After that, they continue discussing the early stages of their relationship. They recollect how embarrassed they were at first and continue the preparations.