Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 486 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 486

JANE AUSTEN

behaviour in your daughter has proceeded from a faulty

degree of indulgence; though, at the same time, for the

consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined

to think that her own disposition must be naturally

bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity,

at so early an age. Howsoever that may be, you are

grievously to be pitied; in which opinion I am not only

joined by Mrs. Collins, but likewise by Lady Catherine

and her daughter, to whom I have related the affair.

They agree with me in apprehending that this false step

in one daughter will be injurious to the fortunes of all

the others; for who, as Lady Catherine herself conde-

scendingly says, will connect themselves with such a

family? And this consideration leads me moreover to

reflect, with augmented satisfaction, on a certain event

of last November; for had it been otherwise, I must have

been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace. Let me

then advise you, dear sir, to console yourself as much as

possible, to throw off your unworthy child from your

affection for ever, and leave her to reap the fruits of her

own heinous offense.

“I am, dear sir, etc., etc.”

Mr. Gardiner did not write again till he had received

an answer from Colonel Forster; and then he had

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