{{prhprp510.jpg}}

place to place in quest of a cheap situation, and always

spending more than they ought. His affection for her soon

sank into indifference: hers lasted a little longer; and, in

spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all the

claims to reputation which her marriage had given her.

Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley, yet,

for Elizabeth's sake, he assisted him further in his profes-

sion. Lydia was occasionally a visitor there, when her hus-

band was gone to enjoy himself in London or Bath; and

with the Bingleys they both of them frequently stayed so

long that even Bingley's good humour was overcome, and

he proceeded so far as to talk of giving them a hint to be

gone.

Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy's mar-

riage; but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of

visiting at Pemberley, she dropped all her resentment; was

fonder than ever of Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy

as heretofore, and paid off every arrear of civility to Eliza-

beth.

Pemberley was now Georgiana's home; and the attach-

ment of the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to

see. They were able to love each other, even as well as

they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion in the

world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened with

an astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive

manner of talking to her brother. Him who had always in-

spired in herself a respect which almost overcame her affec-

tion she now saw the object of open pleasantry. Her mind

received knowledge, which had never before fallen in her

way. By Elizabeth's instructions she began to comprehend

that a woman may take liberties with her husband, which

a brother will not always allow in a sister more than ten

years younger than himself.

Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage

of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine

frankness of her character, in her reply to the letter which

announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very

abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all inter-

course was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth's per-

suasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and

 [510]