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should not have been too proud to be dishonest, -- for dis-

honesty I must call it.'

'It _is_ wonderful,' replied Wickham; 'for almost all his

actions may be traced to pride; and pride has often been

his best friend. It has connected him nearer with virtue

than any other feeling. But we are none of us consistent;

and in his behaviour to me there were stronger impulses

even than pride.'

'Can such abominable pride as his have ever done him

good?'

'Yes; it has often led him to be liberal and generous;

to give his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist

his tenants, and relieve the poor. Family pride, and _filial_

pride, for he is very proud of what his father was, have

done this. Not to appear to disgrace his family, to degen-

erate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence of

the Pemberley House, is a powerful motive. He has also

_brotherly_ pride, which, with _some_ brotherly affection, makes

him a very kind and careful guardian of his sister; and

you will hear him generally cried up as the most atten-

tive and best of brothers.'

'What sort of a girl is Miss Darcy?'

He shook his head. 'I wish I could call her amiable.

It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy; but she is too

much like her brother, -- very, very proud. As a child, she

was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me;

and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But

she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about

fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, highly accomplished.

Since her father's death her home has been London, where

a lady lives with her, and superintends her education.'

After many pauses and many trials of other subjects,

Elizabeth could not help reverting once more to the first,

and saying,--

'I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley. How

can Mr. Bingley, who seems good-humour itself, and is, I

really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with such a

man? How can they suit each other? Do you know Mr.

Bingley?'

'Not at all.'

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