第88章[第2頁/共4頁]

“Indeed!”cried Mr.Wickham with a look which did not escape her.“And pray,may I ask?―”But checking himself,he added,in a gayer tone,“Is it in address that he improves?Has he deigned to add aught of civility to his ordinary style?―for I dare not hope,”he continued in a lower and more serious tone,“that he is improved in essentials.”

“You, who so well know my feeling towards Mr. Darcy, will readily comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise enough to assume even the appearance of what is right.His pride, in that direction, may be of service, if not to himself, to many others,for it must only deter him from such foul misconduct as I have suffered by.I only fear that the sort of cautiousness to which you,I imagine,have been alluding,is merely adopted on his visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgement he stands much in awe.His fear of her has always operated,I know,when they were together;and a good deal is to be imputed to his wish of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh,which I am certain he has very much at heart.”