{{prxprp071.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 71 ||

Elizabeth was again deep in thought, and after a time exclaimed,

'To treat in such a manner, the godson, the friend, the favourite

of his father!' -- She could have added, 'A young man too, like

you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable'

-- but she contented herself with 'And one, too, who had pre

bably been his own companion from childhood, connected

together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!'

'We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the

greatest part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the

same house, sharing the same amusements, objects of the same

parental care. My father began life in the profession which

your uncle, Mr. Philips, appears to do so much credit to -- but

he gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr. Darcy, and

devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley property. He

was most highly esteemed by Mr. Darcy, a most intimate, con^

fidential friend. Mr. Darcy often acknowledged himself to be

under the greatest obligations to my father's active superintendence,

and when, immediately before my father's death, Mr. Darcy gave

him a voluntary promise of providing for me, I am convinced

that he felt it to be as much a debt of gratitude to him, as of

affection to myself.'

'How strange!' cried Elizabeth. 'How abominable! -- I

wonder that the very pride of this Mr. Darcy has not made him

just to you! -- If from no better motive, that he should not have

been too proud to be dishonest, -- for dishonesty I must call it.'

'It is wonderful,' -- replied Wickham, -- 'for almost all his actions

may be traced to pride; -- and pride has often been his best friend.

It has connected him nearer with virtue than any other feeling.

But we are none of us inconsistent, and in his behaviour to me

there were stronger impulses even than pride.'

'Can such abominable pride as his, have ever done him

good;'

'Yes. It has often led him to be liberal and generous, -- to give

his money freely, to display hospitality, to assist his tenants, and

relieve the poor. Family pride, and filial pride, for he is very

proud of what his father was, have done this. Not to appear

to disgrace his family, to degenerate from the popular qualities,

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