Pride and Prejudice: BTS version

Chapter Thirty Four

When they were gone, Jimin, as if intending to exasperate himself as much as possible against Yoongi, chose for his employment the examination of all the letters which Taehyung had written to him since his being in Kent. They contained no actual complaint, nor was there any revival of past occurrences, or any communication of present suffering. But in all, and in almost every line of each, there was a want of that cheerfulness which had been used to characterise his style, and which, proceeding from the serenity of a mind at ease with itself and kindly disposed towards everyone, had been scarcely ever clouded. Jimin noticed every sentence conveying the idea of uneasiness, with an attention which it had hardly received on the first perusal. Yoongi's shameful boast of what misery he had been able to inflict, gave him a keener sense of his brother's sufferings. It was some consolation to think that Yoongi's visit to Rosings was to end on the day after the next--and, a still greater, that in less than a fortnight Jimin should himself be with Taehyung again, and enabled to contribute to the recovery of his spirits, by all that affection could do.

He could not think of Yoongi's leaving Kent without remembering that his cousin was to go with him; but Hoseok had made it clear that he had no intentions at all, and agreeable as he was, Jimin did not mean to be unhappy about him.

While settling this point, he was suddenly roused by the sound of the door-bell, and his spirits were a little fluttered by the idea of its being Hoseok himself, who had once before called late in the evening, and might now come to inquire particularly after him. But this idea was soon banished, and his spirits were very differently affected, when, to his utter amazement, he saw Yoongi walk into the room. In an hurried manner he immediately began an inquiry after Jimin's health, imputing his visit to a wish of hearing that he were better. Jimin answered him with cold civility. He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Jimin was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards him in an agitated manner, and thus began:

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Jimin's astonishment was beyond expression. He stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for him, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of Jimin's inferiority--of its being a degradation--of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

In spite of his deeply-rooted dislike, Jimin could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection, and though his intentions did not vary for an instant, he was at first sorry for the pain Yoongi was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, he lost all compassion in anger. He tried, however, to compose himself to answer him with patience, when he should have done. Yoongi concluded with representing to him the strength of that attachment which, in spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that it would now be rewarded by his acceptance of his hand. As he said this, Jimin could easily see that he had no doubt of a favourable answer. He SPOKE of apprehension and anxiety, but his countenance expressed real security. Such a circumstance could only exasperate farther, and, when he ceased, the colour rose into Jimin's cheeks, and he said: