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already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge differently

in the affair.'

'Already arisen!' repeated Mr. Bennet. 'What! has she

frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy.

But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths as cannot

bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a

regret. Come, let me see the list of the pitiful fellows who

have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly.'

'Indeed, you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to

resent. It is not of peculiar, but of general evils, which I am

now complaining. Our importance, our respectability in the

world, must be affected by the wild volatility, the assurance

and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia's character.

Excuse me, -- for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear

father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant

spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not

to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the

reach of amendment. Her character will be fixed; and she

will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made

herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt, too, in the worst

and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction be-

yond youth and a tolerable person; and, from the ignorance

and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any

portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admi-

ration will excite. In this danger Kitty is also comprehended.

She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle,

and absolutely uncontrolled! Oh, my dear father, can you

suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised

wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not be

often involved in the disgrace?'

Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject;

and, affectionately taking her hand, said in reply,--

'Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and

Jane are known, you must be respected and valued; and you

will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of --

or I may say, three -- very silly sisters. We shall have no

peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let

her go, then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will

keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor

to be an object of prey to anybody. At Brighton she will be

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