Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 463 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 463

Pride and Prejudice

“But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of

detection? Why must their marriage be private? Oh,

no, nothis is not likely. His most particular friend,

you see by Jane’s account, was persuaded of his never

intending to marry her. Wickham will never marry a

woman without some money. He cannot afford it. And

what claims has Lydia what attraction has she beyond

youth, health, and good humour that could make

him, for her sake, forego every chance of benefiting

himself by marrying well? As to what restraint the

apprehensions of disgrace in the corps might throw on

a dishonourable elopement with her, I am not able to

judge; for I know nothing of the effects that such a step

might produce. But as to your other objection, I am

afraid it will hardly hold good. Lydia has no brothers to

step forward; and he might imagine, from my father’s

behaviour, from his indolence and the little attention he

has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in

his family, that he would do as little, and think as little

about it, as any father could do, in such a matter.”

“But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything

but love of him as to consent to live with him on any

terms other than marriage?”

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