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he does not marry, to secure a lasting convenience of that

kind. But, perhaps, his sister does as well for the present;

and, as she is under his sole care, he may do what he likes

with her.'

'No,' said Colonel Fitzwilliam, 'that is an advantage which

he must divide with me. I am joined with him in the guard-

ianship of Miss Darcy.'

'Are you indeed? And pray what sort of a guardian do

you make? Does your charge give you much trouble?

Young ladies of her age are sometimes a little difficult to

manage; and if she has the true Darcy spirit, she may like to

have her own way.'

As she spoke, she observed him looking at her earnestly;

and the manner in which he immediately asked her why she

supposed Miss Darcy likely to give them any uneasiness, con-

vinced her that she had somehow or other got pretty near

the truth. She directly replied,--

'You need not be frightened. I never heard any harm

of her; and I daresay she is one of the most tractable crea-

tures in the world. She is a very great favourite with some

ladies of my acquaintance, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. I

think I have heard you say that you know them.'

'I know them a little. Their brother is a pleasant, gentle-

manlike man -- he is a great friend of Darcy's.'

'Oh yes,' said Elizabeth drily -- 'Mr. Darcy is uncommonly

kind to Mr. Bingley, and takes a prodigious deal of care of

him.'

'Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy _does_ take care

of him in those points where he most wants care. From

something that he told me in our journey hither, I have rea-

son to think Bingley very much indebted to him. But I ought

to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that Bingley

was the person meant. It was all conjecture.'

'What is it you mean?'

'It is a circumstance which Darcy of course could not wish

to be generally known, because if it were to get round to the

lady's family it would be an unpleasant thing.'

'You may depend upon my not mentioning it.'

'And remember that I have not much reason for supposing

it to be Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he

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