which, though still existing, and existing to an equal degree in both

instances, I had myself endeavoured to forget, because they were not

immediately before me. These causes must be stated, though briefly. The

situation of your mother’s family, though objectionable, was nothing in

comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost

uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and

occasionally even by your father:—pardon me,—it pains me to offend

you. But amidst your concern for the defects of your nearest relations,

and your displeasure at this representation of them, let it give you

consolation to consider that to have conducted yourselves so as to avoid

any share of the like censure is praise no less generally bestowed on

you and your eldest sister than it is honourable to the sense and

disposition of both. I will only say, farther, that from what passed

that evening my opinion of all parties was confirmed, and every

inducement heightened, which could have led me before to preserve my

friend from what I esteemed a most unhappy connection. He left

Netherfield for London on the day following, as you, I am certain,

remember, with the design of soon returning. The part which I acted is

now to be explained. His sisters’ uneasiness had been equally excited

with my own: our coincidence of feeling was soon discovered; and, alike

sensible that no time was to be lost in detaching their brother, we

shortly resolved on joining him directly in London. We accordingly

went—and there I readily engaged in the office of pointing out to my

friend the certain evils of such a choice. I described and enforced them

earnestly. But however this remonstrance might have staggered or delayed

his determination, I do not{248} suppose that it would ultimately have

prevented the marriage, had it not been seconded by the assurance, which

I hesitated not in giving, of your sister’s indifference. He had before