parison of this.And it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to suppose as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence; though, at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age. Howsoever that may be, you are grievously to be pitied; in which opinion I am not only joined by Mrs. Collins,but likewise by Lady Catherine and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair.They agree with me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself condescendingly says,will connect themselves with such a family?And this consideration leads me moreover to reflect, with augmented satisfaction,on a certain event of last November;for had it been otherwise,I must have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace.Let me then advise you,dear sir,to console yourself as much as possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever,and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offense.