{{prxprp243.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 243 ||

could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married

in London than in Scotland.'

'But why all this secrecy; Why any fear of detection? Why

must their marriage be private? Oh, no, no, this is not likely.

His most particular friend, you see by Jane's account, was per'

suaded of his never intending to marry her. Wickham will never

marry a woman without some money. He cannot afford it.

And what claims has Lydia -- what attractions has she beyond

youth, health, and good humour that could make him for her

sake forego every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well?

As to what restraint the apprehensions of disgrace in the corps

might throw on a dishonourable elopement with her, I am not

able to judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a step

might produce. But as to your other objection, I am afraid it

will hardly hold good. Lydia has no brothers to step forward;

and he might imagine, from my father's behaviour, from his

indolence and the little attention he has ever seemed to give to

what was going forward in his family, that be would do as little,

and think as little about it, as any father could do, in such

a matter.'

'But can you think that Lydia is so lost to every thing but love

of him, as to consent to live with him on any other terms than

marriage?'

'It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed,' replied Elizabeth,

with tears in her eyes, 'that a sister's sense of decency and virtue

in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not

what to say. Perhaps I am not doing her justice. But she is

very young; she has never been taught to think on serious subjects;

and for the last half year, nay, for a twelvemonth, she has been

given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been

allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous

manner, and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since

the shire were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love,

flirtation, and officers have been in her head. She has been

doing every thing in her power by thinking and talking on the

subject, to give greater -- what shall I call it? susceptibility to her

feelings; which are naturally lively enough. And we all know

1 -'

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