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Pride & Prejudice – page 523

Pride and Prejudice

have said a word about it. I promised them so faithfully!

What will Wickham say? It was to be such a secret!”

“If it was to be secret,” said Jane, “say not another

word on the subject. You may depend upon my seeking

no further.”

“Oh! certainly,” said Elizabeth, though burning with

curiosity; “we will ask you no questions.”

“Thank you,” said Lydia, “for if you did, I should

certainly tell you all, and then Wickham would be

angry.”

On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced

to put it out of her power, by running away.

But to live in ignorance on such a point was

impossible; or at least it was impossible not to try

for information. Mr. Darcy had been at her sister’s

wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among

people, where he had apparently least to do, and least

temptation to go. Conjectures as to the meaning of it,

rapid and wild, hurried into her brain; but she was

satisfied with none. Those that best pleased her, as

placing his conduct in the noblest light, seemed most

improbable. She could not bear such suspense; and

hastily seizing a sheet of paper, wrote a short letter to

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