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"They have both," said she, "been deceived, I dare say, in some

way or other, of which we can form no idea. Interested people

have perhaps misrepresented each to the other. It is, in short,

impossible for us to conjecture the causes or circumstances which

may have alienated them, without actual blame on either side."

"Very true, indeed; and now, my dear Jane, what have you got to

say in behalf of the interested people who have probably been

concerned in the business? Do clear them, too, or we shall be

obliged to think ill of somebody."

"Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my

opinion. My dearest Lizzy, do but consider in what a disgraceful

light it places Mr. Darcy, to be treating his father's favourite

in such a manner,--one whom his father had promised to provide

for. It is impossible. No man of common humanity, no man who had

any value for his character, could be capable of it. Can his most

intimate friends be so excessively deceived in him? Oh no."