Strona 415 z 817

But however this remonstrance might have staggered or delayed his

determination, I do not suppose that it would ultimately have

prevented the marriage, had it not been seconded by the

assurance, which I hesitated not in giving, of your sister's

indifference. He had before believed her to return his affection

with sincere, if not with equal, regard. But Bingley has great

natural modesty, with a stronger dependence on my judgment than

on his own. To convince him, therefore, that he had deceived

himself was no very difficult point. To persuade him against

returning into Hertfordshire, when that conviction had been

given, was scarcely the work of a moment. I cannot blame myself

for having done thus much. There is but one part of my conduct,

in the whole affair, on which I do not reflect with satisfaction;

it is that I condescended to adopt the measures of art so far as

to conceal from him your sister's being in town.