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'But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection?

Why must their marriage be private? Oh no, no, this is not

likely. His most particular friend, you see by Jane's account,

was persuaded of his never intending to marry her. Wick-

ham will never marry a woman without some money. He

cannot afford it. And what claims has Lydia, what attrac-

tions has she beyond youth, health, and good humour, that

could make him for her sake forego every chance of bene-

fiting himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the

apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on a

dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to judge;

for I know nothing of the effects that such a step might

produce. But as to your other objection, I am afraid it

will hardly hold good. Lydia has no brothers to step for-

ward; and he might imagine, from my father's behaviour,

from his indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed

to give to what was going forward in his family, that he

would do as little and think as little about it, as any _father_

could do, in such a matter.'

'But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything but

love of him, as to consent to live with him on any other terms

than marriage?'

'It does seem, and it is most shocking, indeed,' replied

Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes, 'that a sister's sense of

decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt.

But, really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing

her justice. But she is very young; she has never been

taught to think on serious subjects; and for the last half-~

year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has been given up to noth-

ing but amusement and vanity. She has been allowed to

dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner,

and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since

the shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but

love flirtation, and officers, has been in her head. She

has been doing everything in her power, by thinking

and talking on the subject, to give greater -- what shall I

call it? -- susceptibility to her feelings; which are na-

turally lively enough. And we all know that Wickham

has every charm of person and address that can captivate

a woman.'

 [415]