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"How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I

felt a little uneasy--a little fearful of my sister's happiness

with him in marriage, because I knew that his conduct had not

been always quite right. My father and mother knew nothing of

that; they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then

owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest

of us, that in Lydia's last letter she had prepared her for such

a step. She had known, it seems, of their being in love with each

other many weeks."

"But not before they went to Brighton?"

"No, I believe not."

"And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill of Wickham himself?

Does he know his real character?"

"I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he

formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant;

and since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he

left Meryton greatly in debt: but I hope this may be false."