पृष्ठ 689 / 817

It was painful, exceedingly painful, to know that they were under

obligations to a person who could never receive a return. They

owed the restoration of Lydia, her character, everything to him.

Oh, how heartily did she grieve over every ungracious sensation

she had ever encouraged, every saucy speech she had ever directed

towards him! For herself she was humbled; but she was proud of

him,--proud that in a cause of compassion and honour he had been

able to get the better of himself. She read over her aunt's

commendation of him again and again. It was hardly enough; but it

pleased her. She was even sensible of some pleasure, though mixed

with regret, on finding how steadfastly both she and her uncle

had been persuaded that affection and confidence subsisted

between Mr. Darcy and herself.

She was roused from her seat and her reflections, by someone's

approach; and, before she could strike into another path, she was

overtaken by Wickham.