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In this perturbed state of mind, with thoughts that could

rest on nothing, she walked on; but it would not do: in half

a minute the letter was unfolded again; and, collecting her-

self as well as she could, she again began the mortifying

perusal of all that related to Wickham, and commanded her-

self so far as to examine the meaning of every sentence.

The account of his connection with the Pemberley family

was exactly what he had related himself; and the kindness

of the late Mr. Darcy, though she had not before known its

extent, agreed equally well with his own words. So far

each recital confirmed the other; but when she came to the

will, the difference was great. What Wickham had said of

the living was fresh in her memory; and as she recalled his

very words, it was impossible not to feel that there was gross

duplicity on one side or the other, and, for a few moments,

she flattered herself that her wishes did not err. But when

she read and re-read with the closest attention, the particu-

lars immediately following, of Wickham's resigning all pre-

tensions to the living, of his receiving in lieu so considerable

a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced to

hesitate.

She put down the letter, weighed every circumstance

with what she meant to be impartiality -- deliberated on

the probability of each statement -- but with little success.

On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read on.

But every line proved more clearly that the affair, which

she had believed it impossible that any contrivance could so

represent as to render Mr. Darcy's conduct in it less than

infamous, was capable of a turn which must make him en-

tirely blameless throughout the whole.

The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled

not to lay to Mr. Wickham's charge exceedingly shocked

her; the more so, as she could bring no proof of its injustice.

She had never heard of him before his entrance into the

shire militia, in which he had engaged at the persuasion

of the young man who, on meeting him accidentally in town,

had there renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former

way of life nothing had been known in Hertfordshire but

what he told himself. As to his real character, had informa-

tion been in her power, she had never felt a wish of in-

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