Chapter 26A

CHAPTER 26

Mrs. Gardiner’s caution to Elizabeth was punctually andkindly given on the first favourable opportunity ofspeaking to her alone; after honestly telling her whatshe thought, she thus went on:‘You are too sensible a girl, Lizzy, to fall in love merely becauseyou are warned against it; and, therefore, I am not afraid ofspeaking openly. Seriously, I would have you be on your guard. Donot involve yourself, or endeavour to involve him in an affectionwhich the want of fortune would make so very imprudent. I havenothing to say against him; he is a most interesting young man;and if he had the fortune he ought to have, I should think youcould not do better But as it is—you must not let your fancy runaway with you. You have sense, and we all expect you to use it.Your father would depend on your resolution and good conduct, Iam sure. You must not disappoint your father.’‘My dear aunt, this is being serious indeed.’‘Yes, and I hope to engage you to be serious likewise.’‘Well, then, you need not be under any alarm. I will take care ofmyself, and of Mr. Wickham too. He shall not be in love with me, ifI can prevent it.’‘Elizabeth, you are not serious now.‘I beg your pardon. I will try again. At present I am not in lovewith Mr Wickham; no, I certainly am not. But he is, beyond allcomparison, the most agreeable man I ever saw—and if hebecomes really attached to me—I believe it will be better that he should not. I see the imprudence of it. Oh! that abominable Mr.Darcy !—My father’s opinion of me does me the greatest honour;and I should be miserable to forfeit it. My father, however, ispartial to Mr. Wickham. In short, my dear aunt, I should be verysorry to be the means of making any of you unhappy; but since wesee every day that where there is affection, young people areseldom withheld by immediate want of fortune, from entering intoengagements with each other, how can I promise to be wiser thanso many of my fellow creatures if I am tempted, or how am I evento know that it would be wisdom to resist? All that I can promiseyou, therefore, is not to be in a hurry. I will not be in a hurry tobelieve myself his first object. When I am in company with him, Iwill not be wishing. In short, I will do my best.’‘Perhaps it will be as well, if you discourage his coming here sovery often. At least, you should not remind your Mother of invitinghim.‘As I did the other day,’ said Elizabeth, with a conscious smile;‘very true, it will be wise in me to refrain from that. But do notimagine that he is always here so often. It is on your account thathe has been so frequently invited this week. You know mymother’s ideas as to the necessity of constant company for herfriends. But really, and upon my honour, I will try to do what Ithink to be wisest; and now, I hope you are satisfied.’