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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
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