Страница 682 из 817

Your father was gone, your uncle at home, and, as I said before,

they had a great deal of talk together. They met again on Sunday,

and then I saw him too. It was not all settled before Monday: as

soon as it was, the express was sent off to Longbourn. But our

visitor was very obstinate. I fancy, Lizzy, that obstinacy is the

real defect of his character, after all. He has been accused of

many faults at different times; but this is the true one. Nothing

was to be done that he did not do himself; though I am sure (and

I do not speak it to be thanked, therefore say nothing about it)

your uncle would most readily have settled the whole. They

battled it together for a long time, which was more than either

the gentleman or lady concerned in it deserved.