Elizabeth's impatience to acquaint Jane with what had happened could no longer be overcome;and at length,resolving to suppress every particular in which her sister was concerned,and preparing her to be surprised,she related to her the next morning the chief of the scene between Mr.Darcy and herself.
“There certainly was some great mismanagement in the education of those two young men.One has got all the goodness, and the other all the appearance of it.”
“But you blame me for having spoken so warmly of Wickham?”“No―I do not know that you were wrong in saying what you did.”
“Indeed,I could not.I was uncomfortable enough,I was very uncomfortable,I may say unhappy.And with no one to speak to about what I felt,no Jane to comfort me and say that I had not been so very weak and vain and nonsensical as I knew I had!Oh! how I wanted you!”
“How unfortunate that you should have used such very strong expressions in speaking of Wickham to Mr.Darcy,for now they do appear wholly undeserved.”
It was some time, however, before a smile could be extorted from Jane.
“I do not know when I have been more shocked,”said she.“Wickham so very bad! It is almost past belief.And poor Mr. Darcy!Dear Lizzy,only consider what he must have suffered.Such a disappointment! and with the knowledge of your ill opinion, too!and having to relate such a thing of his sister!It is really too distressing.I am sure you must feel it so.”