even wish for any renewal of his attentions. His character sunk on every

review of it; and, as a punishment for him, as well as a possible

advantage to Jane, she seriously hoped he might really soon marry Mr.

Darcy’s sister, as, by Wickham’s account, she would make him abundantly

regret what he had thrown away.
Mrs. Gardiner about this time reminded Elizabeth of her promise

concerning that gentleman, and required information; and Elizabeth had

such to send as might rather give contentment to her aunt than to

herself. His apparent partiality had subsided, his attentions were over,

he was the admirer of some one else. Elizabeth was{188} watchful enough to

see it all, but she could see it and write of it without material pain.

Her heart had been but slightly touched, and her vanity was satisfied

with believing that she would have been his only choice, had fortune

permitted it. The sudden acquisition of ten thousand pounds was the most

remarkable charm of the young lady to whom he was now rendering himself

agreeable; but Elizabeth, less clear-sighted perhaps in this case than

in Charlotte’s, did not quarrel with him for his wish of independence.

Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural; and, while able to

suppose that it cost him a few struggles to relinquish her, she was

ready to allow it a wise and desirable measure for both, and could very

sincerely wish him happy.
All this was acknowledged to Mrs. Gardiner; and, after relating the

circumstances, she thus went on:—“I am now convinced, my dear aunt,

that I have never been much in love; for had I really experienced that

pure and elevating passion, I should at present detest his very name,

and wish him all manner of evil. But my feelings are not only cordial

towards him, they are even impartial towards Miss King. I cannot find

out that I hate her at all, or that I am in the least unwilling to think

her a very good sort of girl. There can be no love in all this. My