Seite 416 von 817

I knew it myself, as it was known to Miss Bingley; but her

brother is even yet ignorant of it. That they might have met

without ill consequence is, perhaps, probable; but his regard did

not appear to me enough extinguished for him to see her without

some danger. Perhaps this concealment, this disguise, was beneath

me. It is done, however, and it was done for the best. On this

subject I have nothing more to say, no other apology to offer. If

I have wounded your sister's feelings, it was unknowingly done;

and though the motives which governed me may to you very

naturally appear insufficient, I have not yet learnt to condemn

them.--With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of

having injured Mr. Wickham, I can only refute it by laying before

you the whole of his connection with my family. Of what he has

particularly accused me I am ignorant; but of the truth of what I

shall relate I can summon more than one witness of undoubted

veracity. Mr.