{{prxprp195.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 195 ||

did she labour to prove the probability of error, and seek to clear

one without involving the other.

'This will not do,' said Elizabeth, 'you never will be able to

make both of them good for any thing. Take your choice, but

you must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity

of merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of

man; and of late it has been shifting about pretty much. For

my part, I am inclined to believe it all Mr. Darcy's, but you shall

do as you chuse.'

It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted

from Jane.

'I do not know when I have been more shocked,' said she.

'Wickham so very bad! It is almost past belief. And poor

Mr. Darcy! dear Lizzy, only consider what he must have suffered.

Such a disappointment! and with the knowledge of your ill

opinion too! and having to relate such a thing of his sister! -- It

is really too distressing. I am sure you must feel it so.'

'Oh! no, my regret and compassion are all done away by

seeing you so full of both. I know you will do him such ample

justice, that I am growing every moment more unconcerned and

indifferent. Your profusion makes me saving; and if you lament

over him much longer, my heart will be as light as a feather.'

'Poor Wickham! there is such an expression of goodness in

his countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner.'

'There certainly was some great mismanagement in the educa"

tion of those two young men. One has got all the goodness,

and the other all the appearance of it.'

T never thought Mr. Darcy so deficient in the appearance of it

as you used to do.'

'And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided

a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's

genius, such an opening for wit to have a dislike of that kind.

One may be continually abusive without saying any thing just;

but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and

then stumbling on something witty.'

'Lizzy, when you first read that letter, I am sure you could not

treat the matter as you do now.'

 [[195]]