{{prxprp179.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 179 ||

Militia, in which he had engaged at the persuasion of the young

man, who, on meeting him accidentally in town, had there

renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former way of life, nothing

had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told himself. As

to his real character, had information been in her power, she had

never felt a wish of inquiring. His countenance, voice, and

manner had established him at once in the possession of every

virtue. She tried to recollect some instance of goodness, some

distinguished trait of integrity or benevolence, that might rescue

him from the attacks of Mr. Darcy; or at least, by the predominance

of virtue, atone for those casual errors under which she would

endeavour to class, what Mr. Darcy had described as the idleness

and vice of many years continuance. But no such recollection

befriended her. She could see him instantly before her, in

every charm of air and address, but she could remember no more

substantial good than the general approbation of the neighbour^

hood, and the regard which his social powers had gained him in

the mess. After pausing on this point a considerable while, she

once more continued to read. But, alas! the story which followed

of his designs on Miss Darcy, received some confirmation from

what had passed between Colonel Fitzwilliam and herself only

the morning before; and at last she was referred for the truth

of every particular to Colonel Fitzwilliam himself -- from whom

she had previously received the information of his near concern

in all his cousin's affairs, and whose character she had no reason

to question. At one time she had almost resolved on applying

to him, but the idea was checked by the awkwardness of the

application, and at length wholly banished by the conviction

that Mr. Darcy would never have hazarded such a proposal, if

he had not been well assured of his cousin's corroboration.

She perfectly remembered every thing that had passed in con^

versation between Wickham and herself, in their first evening at

Mr. Philips's. Many of his expressions were still fresh in her

memory. She was now struck with the impropriety of such

communications to a stranger, and wondered it had escaped her

before. She saw the indelicacy of putting himself forward as he

had done, and the inconsistency of his professions with his

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