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But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her.

Lydia -- the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them

all -- soon swallowed up every private care; and covering

her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon lost

to everything else; and, after a pause of several minutes,

was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice

of her companion, who, in a manner which, though it spoke

compassion, spoke likewise restraint, said, 'I am afraid

you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I any-

thing to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though

unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything could

be either said or done on my part, that might offer con-

solation to such distress! But I will not torment you with

vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your

thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sis-

ter's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day.'

'Oh yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy.

Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Con-

ceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible. I know it

cannot be long.'

He readily assured her of his secrecy, again expressed

his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion

than there was at present reason to hope, and, leaving his

compliments for her relations, with only one serious parting

look went away.

As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it

was that they should ever see each other again on such

terms of cordiality as had marked their several meetings

in Derbyshire; and as she threw a retrospective glance over

the whole of their acquaintance, so full of contradictions

and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of those feelings

which would now have promoted its continuance, and would

formerly have rejoiced in its termination.

If gratitude and esteem are good foundations of affection,

Elizabeth's change of sentiment will be neither improbable

nor faulty. But if otherwise, if the regard springing from

such sources is unreasonable or unnatural, in comparison

of what is so often described as arising on a first inter-

view with its object, and even before two words have been

exchanged, nothing can be said in her defence, except that

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