{{prxprp185.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 185 ||

him, her anger was turned against herself; and his disappointed

feelings became the object of compassion. His attachment excited

gratitude, his general character respect; but she could not approve

him; nor could she for a moment repent her refusal, or feel the

slightest inclination ever to see him again. In her own past

behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret;

and in the unhappy defects of her family a subject of yet heavier

chagrin. They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, contented

with laughing at them, would never exert himself to restrain the

wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and her mother, with

manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the

evil. Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour

to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia; but while

they were supported by their mother's indulgence, what chance

could there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited,

irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance, had been

always affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and care-

less, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant,

idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton, they

would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of

Longbourn, they would be going there for ever.

Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern, and

Mr. Darcy's explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former

good opinion, heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His

affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct

cleared of all blame, unless any could attach to the implicitness

of his confidence in his friend. -- How grievous then was the

thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete

with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been

deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!

When to these recollections was added the development of

Wickham's character, it may be easily believed that the happy

spirits which had seldom been depressed before, were now so

much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear

tolerably cheerful.

Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last

week of her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening

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