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"Ay, that is just like your formality and discretion. You thought

the waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I dare say he often

hears worse things said than I am going to say. But he is an ugly

fellow! I am glad he is gone. I never saw such a long chin in my

life. Well, but now for my news: it is about dear Wickham; too

good for the waiter, is not it? There is no danger of Wickham's

marrying Mary King--there's for you! She is gone down to her

uncle at Liverpool; gone to stay. Wickham is safe."

"And Mary King is safe!" added Elizabeth; "safe from a connection

imprudent as to fortune."

"She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him."

"But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side," said

Jane.

"I am sure there is not on his. I will answer for it, he never

cared three straws about her. Who could about such a nasty little

freckled thing?"