happiness of Lydia herself in bidding farewell, the more gentle adieus

of her sisters were uttered without being heard.{294}

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“The arrival of the Pardiners.”


CHAPTER XLII.

HAD Elizabeth’s opinion been all drawn from her own family, she could

not have formed a very pleasing picture of conjugal felicity or domestic

comfort. Her father, captivated by youth and beauty, and that appearance

of good-humour which youth and beauty generally give, had married a

woman whose weak understanding and illiberal mind had very early in

their marriage put an end to all real affection for her.{295} Respect,

esteem, and confidence had vanished for ever; and all his views of

domestic happiness were overthrown. But Mr. Bennet was not of a

disposition to seek comfort for the disappointment which his own

imprudence had brought on in any of those pleasures which too often

console the unfortunate for their folly or their vice. He was fond of

the country and of books; and from these tastes had arisen his principal

enjoyments. To his wife he was very little otherwise indebted than as

her ignorance and folly had contributed to his amusement. This is not

the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his

wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true

philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.
Elizabeth, however, had never been blind to the impropriety of her

father’s behaviour as a husband. She had always seen it with pain; but

respecting his abilities, and grateful for his affectionate treatment of

herself, she endeavoured to forget what she could not overlook, and to

banish from her thoughts that continual breach of conjugal obligation

and decorum which, in exposing his wife to the contempt of her own

children, was so highly reprehensible. But she had never felt so

strongly as now the disadvantages which must attend the children of so