Pagina 445 di 817

Her father, contented with laughing at them, would never exert

himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters;

and her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was

entirely insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently united

with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine

and Lydia; but while they were supported by their mother's

indulgence, what chance could there be of improvement? Catherine,

weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Lydia's guidance,

had been always affronted by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed

and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were

ignorant, idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton,

they would flirt with him; and while Meryton was within a walk of

Longbourn, they would be going there for ever.