Can someone explain to me what's happening here? This is from Pride and Prejudice by the way:
Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation; his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; every thing must sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She should neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.
Darcy is walking up and down the room thinking... She thinks that Darcy is embarrassed by the things that her family have done. This is frightening Elizabeth. She is afraid that her final discovery that she does love him is going to have been for nothing.
In this passage from Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is in a conversation with Mr. Darcy, and she notices his unusual behavior. Darcy is walking around the room without responding to Elizabeth's words and appears lost in thought. He has a furrowed brow and a gloomy demeanor. Elizabeth quickly senses that something is troubling Darcy.
Elizabeth realizes that her influence over Darcy is diminishing. She interprets his behavior as a sign of weakness within his own family. This revelation brings her great distress and a sense of shame. She understands that her hopes of a future with Darcy are becoming futile, as this evidence of his family's shortcomings makes her realize the impossibility of their union.
These circumstances give Elizabeth a clear understanding of her own desires. She acknowledges that even though she can neither be surprised nor condemn Darcy for his current state, it doesn't provide any consolation for her. On the contrary, it solidifies the fact that her love for him can no longer have any real effect on their situation.
Elizabeth deeply feels the realization that she could have loved Darcy, particularly in this moment when her love is rendered useless by the circumstances. This passage highlights Elizabeth's emotional turmoil and her longing for a love that can never be.