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Wickham's alarm now appeared in a heightened complexion and

agitated look; for a few minutes he was silent; till, shaking off

his embarrassment, he turned to her again, and said in the

gentlest of accents,--

"You, who so well know my feelings towards Mr. Darcy, will

readily comprehend how sincerely I must rejoice that he is wise

enough to assume even the appearance of what is right. His pride,

in that direction, may be of service, if not to himself, to many

others, for it must deter him from such foul misconduct as I have

suffered by. I only fear that the sort of cautiousness to which

you, I imagine, have been alluding, is merely adopted on his

visits to his aunt, of whose good opinion and judgment he stands

much in awe. His fear of her has always operated, I know, when

they were together; and a good deal is to be imputed to his wish

of forwarding the match with Miss de Bourgh, which I am certain

he has very much at heart."