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In the afternoon Lydia was urgent with the rest of the girls to walk to Meryton , and see how everybody went on ; but Elizabeth steadily opposed the scheme . It should not be said , that the Miss Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers . There was another reason , too , for her opposition . She dreaded seeing Wickham again , and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible . The comfort to her , of the regiment’s approaching removal , was indeed beyond expression . In a fortnight they were to go , and once gone , she hoped there could be nothing more to plague her on his account . She had not been many hours at home , before she found that the Brighton scheme , of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn , was under frequent discussion between her parents . Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding ; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal , that her mother , though often disheartened , had never yet despaired of succeeding at last . CHAPTER XL . 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 . Miss Bennet’s astonishment was soon lessened by the strong sisterly partiality which made any admiration of Elizabeth appear perfectly natural ; and all surprise was shortly lost in other feelings . She was sorry that Mr . Darcy should have delivered his sentiments in a manner so little suited to recommend them ; but still more was she grieved for the unhappiness which her sister’s refusal must have given him . “ His being so sure of succeeding was wrong , ” said she , “ and certainly ought not to have appeared ; but consider how much it must increase his disappointment . ” “ Indeed , ” replied Elizabeth , “ I am heartily sorry for him ; but he has other feelings which will probably soon drive away his regard for me . You do not blame me , however , for refusing him ? ” “ Blame you ! Oh , no . ” “ 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 . ” “ But you will know it , when I have told you what happened the very next day . ” She then spoke of the letter , repeating the whole of its contents as far as they concerned George Wickham . What a stroke was this for poor Jane , who would willingly have gone through the world without believing that so much wickedness existed in the whole race of mankind as was here collected in one individual ! Nor was Darcy’s vindication , though grateful to her feelings , capable of consoling her for such discovery . Most earnestly did she labour to prove the probability of error , and seek to clear one , without involving the other . “ This will not do , ” said Elizabeth ; “ you never will be able to make both of them good for anything . Take your choice , but you must be satisfied with only one . There is but such a quantity of merit between them ; just enough to make one good sort of man ; and of late it has been shifting about pretty much . For my part , I am inclined to believe it all Mr . Darcy’s , but you shall do as you choose . ”
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