Pagina 169 van 817

Philips, protesting that he did not in the least regard his

losses at whist, enumerating all the dishes at supper, and

repeatedly fearing that he crowded his cousins, had more to say

than he could well manage before the carriage stopped at

Longbourn House.

CHAPTER XVII.

Elizabeth related to Jane, the next day, what had passed between

Mr. Wickham and herself. Jane listened with astonishment and

concern: she knew not how to believe that Mr. Darcy could be so

unworthy of Mr. Bingley's regard; and yet it was not in her

nature to question the veracity of a young man of such amiable

appearance as Wickham. The possibility of his having really

endured such unkindness was enough to interest all her tender

feelings; and nothing therefore remained to be done but to think

well of them both, to defend the conduct of each, and throw into

the account of accident or mistake whatever could not be

otherwise explained.