{{prxprp268.jpg}} || 268 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, they might

hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all those who

were not immediately on the spot.

She had no fear of its spreading farther, through his means.

There were few people on whose secrecy she would have more

confidently depended; but at the same time, there was no one,

whose knowledge of a sister's frailty would have mortified her

so much. Not, however, from any fear of disadvantage from it,

individually to herself; for at any rate, there seemed a gulf impas'

sable between them. Had Lydia's marriage been concluded on

the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr.

Darcy would connect himself with a family, where to every other

objection would now be added, an alliance and relationship of

the nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned.

From such a connection she could not wonder that he should

shrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she had

assured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational

expectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, she

was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what.

She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer

hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, when

there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was

convinced that she could have been happy with him; when it

was no longer likely they should meet.

What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know

that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four

months ago, would now have been gladly and gratefully received!

He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his

sex. But while he was mortal, there must be a triumph.

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man,

who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His

understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have

answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to

the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might

have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judg'

ment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have

received benefit of greater importance.

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