Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 26

Mrs. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly

given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her

alone; after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went

on:

"You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely because

you are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not afraid of

speaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard.

Do not involve yourself or endeavour to involve him in an

affection which the want of fortune would make so very

imprudent. I have nothing to say against _him_; he is a most

interesting young man; and if he had the fortune he ought to

have, I should think you could not do better. But as it is, you

must not let your fancy run away with you. You have sense, and

we all expect you to use it. Your father would depend on

_your_ resolution and good conduct, I am sure. You must not

disappoint your father."

"My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed."

"Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise."

"Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care

of myself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with

me, if I can prevent it."

"Elizabeth, you are not serious now."

"I beg your pardon, I will try again. At present I am not in

love with Mr. Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond

all comparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw--and if he

becomes really attached to me--I believe it will be better that

he should not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh! _that_ abominable

Mr. Darcy! My father's opinion of me does me the greatest

honour, and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father,

however, is partial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt,

I should be very sorry to be the means of making any of you

unhappy; but since we see every day that where there is

affection, young people are seldom withheld by immediate want

of fortune from entering into engagements with each other, how

can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow-creatures

if I am tempted, or how am I even to know that it would be

wisdom to resist? All that I can promise you, therefore, is not

to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his

first object. When I am in company with him, I will not be

wishing. In short, I will do my best."

"Perhaps it will be as well if you discourage his coming here so

very often. At least, you should not _remind_ your mother of

inviting him."

"As I did the other day," said Elizabeth with a conscious smile: