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interference, which asked no extraordinary stretch of belief.

It was reasonable that he should feel he had been wrong;

he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it;

and though she would not place herself as his principal

inducement, she could perhaps believe that remaining par-

tiality for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where

her peace of mind must be materially concerned. It was

painful, exceedingly painful, to know that they were under

obligations to a person who could never receive a return.

They owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, every-

thing, to him. Oh how heartily did she grieve over every

ungracious sensation she had ever encouraged, every saucy

speech she had ever directed towards him. For herself she

was humbled; but she was proud of him, -- proud that in a

cause of compassion and honour he had been able to get the

better of himself. She read over her aunt's commendation

of him again and again. It was hardly enough; but it

pleased her. She was even sensible of some pleasure,

though mixed with regret, on finding how steadfastly both

she and her uncle had been persuaded that affection and

confidence subsisted between Mr. Darcy and herself.

She was roused from her seat and her reflections by some

one's approach; and, before she could strike into another

path, she was overtaken by Wickham.

'I am afraid I interrupt your solitary ramble, my dear

sister?' said he, as he joined her.

'You certainly do,' she replied with a smile; 'but it does

not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome.'

'I should be sorry, indeed, if it were. _We_ were always

good friends, and now we are better.'

'True. Are the others coming out?'

'I do not know. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are going in

the carriage to Meryton. And so, my dear sister, I find,

from our uncle and aunt, that you have actually seen

Pemberley.'

She replied in the affirmative.

'I almost envy you the pleasure, and yet I believe it

would be too much for me, or else I could take it in my

way to Newcastle. And you saw the old housekeeper,

I suppose? Poor Reynolds, she was always very fond

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