{{prxprp249.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 249 ||

reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful, -- and that she

cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the

undeserving of the other sex.'

Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much

oppressed to make any reply. Mary, however, continued to

console herself with such kind of moral extractions from the

evil before them.

In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be

for half an hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed

herself of the opportunity of making any inquiries, which Jane

was equally eager to satisfy. After joining in general lamenta^

tions over the dreadful sequel of this event, which Elizabeth

considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert

to be wholly impossible; the former continued the subject, by

saying, 'But tell me all and every thing about it, which I have not

already heard. Give me further particulars. What did Colonel

Forster say? Had they no apprehension of any thing before the

elopement took place? They must have seen them together

for ever.'

'Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some

partiality, especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him

any alarm. I am so grieved for him! His behaviour was

attentive and kind to the utmost. He was coming to us, in order

to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not

being gone to Scotland: when that apprehension first got abroad,

it hastened his journey.'

'And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry?

Did he know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster

seen Denny himself?'

'Yes; but, when questioned by him Denny denied knowing

any thing of their plan, and would not give his real opinion about

it. He did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying -- and

from that, I am inclined to hope, he might have been misunderstood

before.'

'And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you enters

tained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?'

'How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains!

 [[249]]