Her lips pressed into a thin line once more as he read into her words farther than she would have liked. Against every instinct, she silently admitted he was right, that his words did hold merit and it hurt when he misused them.

❝ The opinion that I am barely tolerable, sir. People talk, Mr. Darcy, I can’t imagine that such is not the case where you are from. And to say such things so forwardly among so many it’s almost assured that someone will hear you, I can’t help but wonder why such a thing surprises you. It’s as though you wanted me to know you disliked me, despite favoring me with no more than ten words that night. ❞

His horror is not so easily noticed – his eyes widen fractionally.
What was said in confidence ( mostly confidence ) had not been
thought to have heard by anyone other than the intended 
recipient. Still, he cannot bring himself to be surprised. Had the
setting been less public, perhaps he would have found himself
to be angered. But the gossips of England were eager.

    “ I beseech you to consider forgiving me for such behaviour, Miss Bennet.
      My attitude had been abominable. Most especially to you, I fear. Such words
      were spoken out of turn and held no true meaning. You must know by now
      how lively Mr. Bingley is and, given that he was so entranced by your sister,
      he had thought to share such joys with me, even as they were unwanted. ”