{{prxprp336.jpg}} || 336 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

As it happened that Elizabeth had much rather not, she endear

vourcd in her answer to put an end to ever)' entreaty and expectation

of the kind. Such relief, however, as it was in her power to afford,

by the practice of what might be called economy in her own

private expenses, she frequently sent them. It had always been

evident to her that such an income as theirs, under the direction

of two persons so extravagant in their wants, and heedless of the

future, must be very insufficient to their support; and whenever

they changed their quarters, either Jane or herself were sure of

being appb'ed to, for some little assistance towards discharging

their bills. Their manner of living, even when the restoration of

peace dismissed them to a home, was unsettled in the extreme.

They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap

situation, and always spending more than they ought. His

affection for her soon sunk into indifference; her's lasted a little

longer; and in spite of her youth and her manners, she retained all

the claims to reputation which her marriage had given her.

Though Darcy could never receive him at Pemberley, yet, for

Elizabeth's sake, he assisted him further in his profession. Lydia

was occasionally a visitor there, when her husband was gone to

enjoy himself in London or Bath; and with the Bingleys they both

of them frequently staid so long, that even Bingley's good humour

was overcome, and he proceeded so far as to talk of giving them

a hint to be gone.

Miss Bingley was very deeply mortified by Darcy's marriage;

but as she thought it advisable to retain the right of visiting at

Pemberley, she dropt all her resentment; was fonder than ever of

Georgiana, almost as attentive to Darcy as heretofore, and paid

off every arrear of civility to Elizabeth.

Pemberley was now Georgiana's home; and the attachment of

the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were

able to love each other, even as well as they intended. Geo.giana

had the highest opinion in the world of Elizabeth; though at

first she often listened with an astonishment bordering on alarm

at her lively, sportive manner of talking to her brother. He, who

had always inspired in herself a respect, which almost overcame

her affection, she now saw the object of open pleasantry. Her

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