impossible not to feel that there was gross duplicity on one side or the

other, and, for a few moments, she flattered herself that her wishes did

not err. But when she read and re-read, with the closest attention, the

particulars immediately following of Wickham’s resigning all pretensions

to the living, of his receiving in lieu so considerable a sum as three

thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate. She put down the

letter, weighed every circumstance with what she meant to be

impartiality—deliberated on the probability of each statement—but with

little success. On both sides it was only assertion. Again she read on.

But every line proved more clearly that the affair, which she had

believed it impossible that any contrivance could so represent as to

render Mr. Darcy’s conduct in it less than infamous, was capable of a

turn which must make him entirely blameless throughout the whole.
The extravagance and general profligacy which he scrupled not to lay to

Mr. Wickham’s charge exceedingly shocked her; the more so, as she could

bring no proof of its injustice. She had never heard of him before his

entrance into the ——shire militia, in which he had engaged at the

persuasion of the young man, who, on meeting him accidentally in town,

had there renewed a slight acquaintance. Of his former way of life,

nothing had been known in Hertfordshire but what he told{256}

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“Meeting accidentally in Town”
[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

himself. As to his real character, had information been in her power,

she had never felt a wish of inquiring. His countenance, voice, and

manner, had established him at once in the possession of every virtue.

She tried to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished

trait of integrity or benevolence, that might rescue him from the

attacks of Mr. Darcy; or at least, by the predominance of virtue, atone

for those casual errors, under which she would endeavour to class what