“But does Lydia know nothing of this?can she be ignorant of what you and Jane seem so well to understand?”

“Do you really think so?”cried Elizabeth,brightening up for a moment.

“In the first place,”replied Mr.Gardiner,“there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland.”

“Of whom does Jane ever think ill?And who is there,whatever might be their former conduct, that she would think capable of such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is.We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word;that he has neither integrity nor honour;that he is as false and deceitful as he is insinuating.”

“Upon my word,”said Mrs. Gardiner,“I begin to be of your uncle's opinion. It is really too great a violation of decency, honour,and interest,for him to be guilty of it.I cannot think so very ill of Wickham.Can you yourself,Lizzy,so wholly give him up,as to believe him capable of it?”

“It does seem,and it is most shocking indeed,”replied Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes,“that a sister's sense of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say.Perhaps I am not doing her justice.But she is very young;she has never been taught to think on serious subjects;and for the last half-year,nay,for a twelvemonth―she has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been allowed to dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner,and to adopt any opinions that came in her way. Since the―shire were first quartered in Meryton,nothing but love,flirtation,and officers have been in her head. She has been doing everything in her power by thinking and talking on the subject, to give greater―what shall I call it?susceptibility to her feelings;which are naturally lively enough.And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a woman.”