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"I have no right to give my opinion," said Wickham, "as to his

being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I

have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is

impossible for me to be impartial. But I believe your opinion of

him would in general astonish--and, perhaps, you would not

express it quite so strongly anywhere else. Here you are in your

own family."

"Upon my word I say no more here than I might say in any house in

the neighbourhood, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked in

Hertfordshire. Everybody is disgusted with his pride. You will

not find him more favourably spoken of by anyone."

"I cannot pretend to be sorry," said Wickham, after a short

interruption, "that he or that any man should not be estimated

beyond their deserts; but with him I believe it does not often

happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or

frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as

he chooses to be seen."