صفحة 471 من 817

"How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong

expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr. Darcy, for now they do

appear wholly undeserved."

"Certainly. But the misfortune of speaking with bitterness is a

most natural consequence of the prejudices I had been

encouraging. There is one point on which I want your advice. I

want to be told whether I ought, or ought not, to make our

acquaintance in general understand Wickham's character."

Miss Bennet paused a little, and then replied, "Surely there can

be no occasion for exposing him so dreadfully. What is your own

opinion?"