Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 62 (2)
It was all because of him, because of his thoughtlessness and failure to expose in time, many people failed to see Wickham's true character, and as a result mistaken him for a good man.Perhaps there is some truth in what he said; though I doubt that his reservations, or anyone's reservations, were responsible for the matter.In spite of all Mr. Darcy's good reasons, you may be quite sure, my dear Lizzy, that your uncle would never have obeyed him, were it not for the possibility that he might have other motives in the matter.When all this was settled, he went back to his friends at Pemberley; it was also agreed that he would come to London on the wedding day, to settle the final money matters.Now I tell you everything.You say that my account will surprise you; and I hope it will at least give you no displeasure.Lydia took up residence with us; and Wickham came often.He was as much as he had been; and Lydia's behavior here was not at all satisfactory, if Jane's letter last Wednesday had not informed her behavior at home, so I If telling you now won't bring you new troubles, I won't tell you.I had a very serious conversation with her many times, repeatedly explaining to her the harmfulness of her actions and the misfortune she brought to the whole family.

She would be lucky if she listened to me, but I'm sure she wasn't listening at all.I was really angry a few times, but the thought of my Elizabeth and Jane, even for their future honour, made me bear my temper.Mr. Darcy returned to London punctually, and, as Lydia tells you, attended their wedding.He dined with us the next day and planned to leave town on Wednesday and Thursday.My dear Lizzy, would you be angry with me if I said here (I never dared to mention before) how much I liked him?He still treats us like he's a Derbyshire sweetheart.I was also pleased with his insight and intelligence; his only flaw was a little vivacity, which his wife could have given him if he had chosen a suitable mate.I think he was very shy;—he hardly mentioned your name.But shyness seems to have become the fashion now.I beg you to forgive me if I have been a little too presumptuous, or at least not to punish me by preventing me from going to Pemberley in the future.I can't enjoy myself until I've visited the whole estate.A light carriage with two handsome ponies will suffice.Now I must stop writing.The children have been clamoring for me for half an hour.

Written by your aunt M. Gardiner, September [-]th, on Tenenji Street"

This letter plunged Elizabeth into a state of mixed feelings, and she couldn't figure out whether joy or pain dominated her feelings.She dared not encourage the vague conjectures which she had had about Mr. Darcy's part in bringing about this marriage of her sister's, fearing that he could not be so good, and fearing that It is true that she will not be able to repay the kindness of others, but now these suspicions have been proved to be absolutely true facts!He had deliberately followed his aunts and uncles to the city, and had taken all the trouble and humiliation of finding the couple; he had had to intercede with a woman whom he had always hated and despised , he had to meet again and again with the person he least wanted to meet (whose name he was ashamed to hear), persuade him with reason, and even bribe him later.

He did all this for a girl who had neither affection nor respect for him.She really said softly in her heart that he did all this for her own sake.But this idea was quickly dispelled by other considerations. She soon felt that she had estimated herself too high. How could she expect his feelings for her (a woman who had rejected him) to be able to overcome him? His instinctive dislike of brother-in-law Wickham.Be Wickham's brother-in-law!All his self-respect must be against such a relationship.He undoubtedly put in a lot of effort.She was ashamed to think how much effort he had made.But he had given a reason for his intervention, and it was a reasonable one.It certainly made sense that he blamed him for what he had done in the first place; he was generous with the money, and he was able to do so; However, she may be able to believe that the affection he still has for her will prompt him to do his best in such a matter that affects her peace of mind.

Elizabeth was terribly distressed at the thought of the great debt the family owed to a man who could never be repaid.The family owed Lydia's return, her integrity, and the preservation of the family's reputation to him.ah!But she once hated him so much and spoke so rudely to him, which made her really regret it.She was ashamed of herself; but she was proud of him.He was able to sacrifice himself in compassion and in nobility.She read over and over again her aunt's praise for him.Although I feel that it is not strong enough, it is enough to make her happy.It gave her some satisfaction, though mixed with chagrin, to discover that both her aunt and aunt insisted on an affection and a secrecy between herself and Mr. Darcy.

Her meditations were interrupted by rising from her bench at the sound of an approaching approach; and before she could reach the other path, Wickham overtook her.

"Have I disturbed the peace of your own walk, my dear sister?" he said, as he came to her.

"That's true," she replied with a smile, "but being disturbed doesn't necessarily make you unwelcome."

"I'm so sorry if that's the case. We've been good friends before; now we're even closer."

"Yes. Has anyone else come out?"

"I don't know. Mrs. Bennet and Lydia are going to Meryton in a carriage. Now, my dear sister, I hear from our aunt and aunt that you have indeed swam Pemberley."

She replied in the affirmative.

"I'm almost jealous of you for this, but I don't think I'll be able to enjoy this blessing, otherwise, I'll stop by when I go to Newcastle. I think you saw the old housekeeper grandma Poor Mrs. Reynolds, she's always been so fond of me. Of course she won't mention me to you."

"No, she mentioned it."

"What did she say about me?"

"She said that you joined the army after you left home. She was worried that your situation in the army was not good. However, you also know that things will inevitably go out of order due to the long distance."

"That's right." He bit his lip and replied.Elizabeth thought it would be time to tell him to shut up; but after a while he spoke again:
"I ran into Darcy unexpectedly in town last month. We saw each other a few times. I don't know what's going to happen to him there."

"Perhaps he is preparing for his marriage to Mademoiselle de Bourgh," said Elizabeth. "He must be there at this time of year on some special business."

"Exactly. Did you see Mr. Darcy when you were at Lambton? From Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's words, you seem to have seen him."

"Yes; he also introduced us to his sister."

"do you like her?"

"I like it very much."

"I heard that she has grown up and down a lot in the past year or two. The last time I saw her, she was not doing well. I'm glad you like her. I hope she will do well in the future. "

"I daresay she will; she's past the age that confused her."

"Have you passed Kimpton Village?"

"I don't remember."

"I mention it because that's where the clergymanship was supposed to be. A very pleasant place!--such a wonderful vicarage! It just suits me so well."

"Do you even like preaching?"

"Very much. I'll make it part of my duties, and even if it's a bit of a struggle at first, it'll soon be the norm. One shouldn't whine--but it's a nice job for me! Such a quiet and elegant life, which is quite in line with my vision of happiness! But all this has come to naught. Did Darcy mention this to you when you were in Kent?"

"Heard it, and with authority; that place is conditional upon you, and at the discretion of the present patron."

"You've heard it all. Yes, there's some ground for it; you remember, I told you so at the beginning."

"I have also indeed heard that there was a time when the profession of preaching was not so to your liking as it is now; and that you declared your determination never to be a priest again, and the matter was compromised. .”

"You've heard that too! It's not entirely unfounded. You may remember that I mentioned it when we first talked about it."

They were now nearly at the door of the house, and she walked quickly, wanting to get rid of him; and Elizabeth, not wishing to offend him for her sister's sake, merely smiled and replied:

"We are brother and sister now, Wickham. Let us not quarrel over the past. I hope that in the days to come we will think of being together."

(End of this chapter)