Part 37 (1/2)

I am grieved, Miss Bennet. Grieved indeed!

ELIZABETH.

Oh, Mr. Darcy, you were right. If I had only believed you! You, and others! But I could not believe it. [_She sobs._]

DARCY.

[_Greatly moved._] What is it, my dear Miss Bennet? What has happened?

ELIZABETH.

[_Wildly._] Oh, I cannot tell it, and yet everyone must know! My sister Lydia--has--has eloped--has thrown herself into the power of--of _Mr.

Wickham_! She has no money, nothing that can tempt him to--she is lost forever! [_She sobs again._]

DARCY.

Good G.o.d, Miss Bennet! Your sister and Wickham! Oh, this is _my_ fault.

I should have realised this danger--I should have spoken. My own wretched experience with this man should have been told.

ELIZABETH.

[_Wonderingly._] Your experience!

DARCY.

Yes--I--you remember. I hinted it to you--to-day. But I should long ago have spoken boldly.

ELIZABETH.

What do you mean?

DARCY.

Mr. Wickham attempted this same plan with my own sister--two years ago.

She was an ignorant, innocent, trusting girl of fifteen. Happily, his villainy was discovered and prevented. But oh, I should have told you!

Had his character been known, this could not have happened.

ELIZABETH.