............prev.....................next{{prxprp075.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 75 ||
Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what had passed between
Mr. Wickham and herself! Jane listened with astonishment and
concern; -- she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be
so unworthy of Mr. Bingley's regard; and yet, it was not in her
nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable
appearance as Wickham. -- The possibility of his having really
endured such unkindness, was enough to interest all her tender
feelings; and nothing therefore remained to [be] done, but to
think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and
throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could
not be otherwise explained.
'They have both,' said she, 'been deceived, I dare say, in
some way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested
people have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in
short, impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances
which may have alienated them, without actual blame on
either side.'
'Very true indeed; -- and now, my dear Jane, what have you got
to say in behalf of the interested people who have probably been
concerned in the business: -- Do clear them too, or we shall be
obliged to think ill of somebody.'
'Laugh as much as you chuse, but you will not laugh me out
of my opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a
disgraceful light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's
favourite in such a manner, -- one, whom his father had promised
to provide for. -- It is impossible. No man of common humanity,
no man who had any value for his character, could be capable
of it. Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived
in him? oh! no.'
T can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed
on, than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of
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