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"Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some

partiality, especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him

any alarm. I am so grieved for him. His behaviour was attentive

and kind to the utmost. He was coming to us, in order to assure

us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not being gone

to Scotland: when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened

his journey."

"And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he

know of their intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny

himself?"

"Yes; but when questioned by him, Denny denied knowing anything

of their plan, and would not give his real opinion about it. He

did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying, and from

that I am inclined to hope he might have been misunderstood

before."

"And till Colonel Forster came himself, not one of you

entertained a doubt, I suppose, of their being really married?"