Page 437 of 817

When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were

mentioned, in tones of such mortifying, yet merited, reproach,

her sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck

her too forcibly for denial; and the circumstances to which he

particularly alluded, as having passed at the Netherfield ball,

and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have

made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers.

The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It

soothed, but it could not console her for the contempt which had

been thus self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she

considered that Jane's disappointment had, in fact, been the work

of her nearest relations, and reflected how materially the credit

of both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt

depressed beyond anything she had ever known before.