Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 474 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 474

JANE AUSTEN

be too much guarded in her behaviour towards the

undeserving of the other sex.”

Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was

too much oppressed to make any reply. Mary, however,

continued to console herself with such kind of moral

extractions from the evil before them.

In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were

able to be for half-an-hour by themselves; and Elizabeth

instantly availed herself of the opportunity of making

any inquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy.

After joining in general lamentations over the dreadful

sequel of this event, which Elizabeth considered as all

but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert to be

wholly impossible, the former continued the subject,

by saying, “But tell me all and everything about it

which I have not already heard. Give me further

particulars. What did Colonel Forster say? Had they no

apprehension of anything before the elopement took

place? They must have seen them together for ever.”

“Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected

some partiality, especially on Lydia’s side, but nothing

to give him any alarm. I am so grieved for him! His

behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He was

coming to us, in order to assure us of his concern, before

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