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Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr.

Darcy's explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former good

opinion, heightened the sense of what Jane had lost. His

affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct

cleared of all blame, unless any could attach to the implicitness

of his confidence in his friend. How grievous then was the

thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so

replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been

deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!

When to these recollections was added the development of

Wickham's character, it may be easily believed that the happy

spirits which had seldom been depressed before were now so much

affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear

tolerably cheerful.