Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 384 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 384

JANE AUSTEN

secretly advising her father not to let her go. She repre-

sented to him all the improprieties of Lydia’s general

behaviour, the little advantage she could derive from

the friendship of such a woman as Mrs. Forster, and the

probability of her being yet more imprudent with such

a companion at Brighton, where the temptations must

be greater than at home. He heard her attentively, and

then said:

“Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed

herself in some public place or other, and we can

never expect her to do it with so little expense or

inconvenience to her family as under the present

circumstances.”

“If you were aware,” said Elizabeth, “of the very

great disadvantage to us all which must arise from

the public notice of Lydia’s unguarded and imprudent

mannernay, which has already arisen from it, I am

sure you would judge differently in the affair.”

“Already arisen?” repeated Mr. Bennet. “What, has

she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little

Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths

as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity

are not worth a regret. Come, let me see the list of pitiful

fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia’s folly.”

376