fish she had won; and Mr. Collins, in describing the civility of Mr. and

Mrs. Philips, protesting that he did not in the least regard his losses

at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and repeatedly fearing

that he crowded his cousins, had more to say than he could well manage

before the carriage stopped at Longbourn House.{108}

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delighted to see their dear friend again.


CHAPTER XVII.

ELIZABETH related to Jane, the next day, what had passed between Mr.

Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and concern: she

knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so unworthy of Mr.

Bingley’s regard; and yet it was not in her nature to question the

veracity of a young man of such amiable appearance as Wickham. The

possibility of his having really endured such unkindness was enough to

interest all her tender feelings; and nothing therefore remained to be

done but to think well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and

throw into the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be

otherwise explained.{109}
“They have both,” said she, “been deceived, I dare say, in some way or

other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people have perhaps

misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short, impossible for us to

conjecture the causes or circumstances which may have alienated them,

without actual blame on either side.”
“Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to say in

behalf of the interested people who have probably been concerned in the

business? Do clear them, too, or we shall be obliged to think ill of

somebody.”
“Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my

opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful light

it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father’s favourite in such a

manner,—one whom his father had promised to provide for. It is

impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had any value for his