{{prhprp440.jpg}}

have more confidently depended; but at the same time there

was no one whose knowledge of a sister's frailty would have

mortified her so much. Not, however, from any fear of

disadvantage from it individually to herself; for at any

rate there seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had

Lydia's marriage been concluded on the most honourable

terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy would con-

nect himself with a family, where to every other objection

would now be added an alliance and relationship of the

nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned.

From such a connection she could not wonder that he

should shrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she

had assured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not

in rational expectation survive such a blow as this. She was

humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly

knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she

could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to

hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining

intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been

happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should

meet.

What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he

know that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only

four months ago would now have been gladly and gratefully

received! He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most

generous of his sex. But while he was mortal, there must be

a triumph.

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the

man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her.

His understanding and temper, though unlike her own,

would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that

must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and

liveliness his mind might have been softened, his manners

improved; and from his judgment, information, and knowl-

edge of the world, she must have received benefit of

greater importance.

But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring

multitude what connubial felicity really was. An union of a

different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the

other, was soon to be formed in their family.

 [440]