Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 17

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 endured

such unkindness, was enough to interest all her tender feelings;

and nothing remained therefore 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.

"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 on 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 character, could be capable of it.

Can his most intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him?

Oh! no."

"I can much more easily believe Mr. Bingley's being imposed on,

than that Mr. Wickham should invent such a history of himself

as he gave me last night; names, facts, everything mentioned

without ceremony. If it be not so, let Mr. Darcy contradict it.

Besides, there was truth in his looks."

"It is difficult indeed--it is distressing. One does not know what

to think."

"I beg your pardon; one knows exactly what to think."

But Jane could think with certainty on only one point--that Mr.

Bingley, if he _had_ been imposed on, would have much to suffer

when the affair became public.

The two young ladies were summoned from the shrubbery,

where this conversation passed, by the arrival of the very