{{prhprp349.jpg}}

one but herself; but that after their removal, it had been

everywhere discussed; that he had then no reserves, no

scruples in sinking Mr. Darcy's character, though he had

assured her that respect for the father would always pre-

vent his exposing the son.

How differently did everything now appear in which he

was concerned! His attentions to Miss King were now the

consequence of views solely and hatefully mercenary; and

the mediocrity of her fortune proved no longer the modera-

tion of his wishes, but his eagerness to grasp at anything.

His behaviour to herself could now have had no tolerable

motive: he had either been deceived with regard to her for-

tune, or had been gratifying his vanity by encouraging the

preference which she believed she had most incautiously

shown. Every lingering struggle in his favour grew fainter

and fainter; and in further justification of Mr. Darcy, she

could not but allow that Mr. Bingley, when questioned by

Jane, had long ago asserted his blamelessness in the affair; --

that, proud and repulsive as were his manners, she had

never, in the whole course of their acquaintance -- an ac-

quaintance which had latterly brought them much together,

and given her a sort of intimacy with his ways -- seen any-

thing that betrayed him to be unprincipled or unjust -- any-

thing that spoke him of irreligious or immoral habits; --

that among his own connections he was esteemed and valued

-- that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a brother,

and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of

his sister as to prove him capable of some amiable feeling;

-- that had his actions been what Wickham represented them,

so gross a violation of everything right could hardly have

been concealed from the world; and that friendship between

a person capable of it and such an amiable man as Mr.

Bingley was incomprehensible.

She grew absolutely ashamed of herself. Of neither Darcy

nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had

been blind, partial, prejudiced, absurd.

'How despicably have I acted!' she cried. 'I, who have

prided myself on my discernment! I, who have valued my-

self on my abilities! who have often disdained the generous

candour of my sister, and gratified my vanity in useless or

 [349]