 such a companion at Brighton, where the temptations must be
greater than at home. He heard her attentively, and then said,
    »Lydia will never be easy till she has exposed herself in some public place
or other, and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense or
inconvenience to her family as under the present circumstances.«
    »If you were aware,« said Elizabeth, »of the very great disadvantage to us
all, which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent
manner; nay, which has already arisen from it, I am sure you would judge
differently in the affair.«
    »Already arisen!« repeated Mr. Bennet. »What, has she frightened away some
of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such squeamish
youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity, are not worth a
regret. Come, let me see the list of the pitiful fellows who have been kept
aloof by Lydia's folly.«
    »Indeed you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It is not of
peculiar, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Our importance, our
respectability in the world, must be affected by the wild volatility, the
assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia's character. Excuse me -
for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of
checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits
are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of
amendment. Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most
determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt too,
in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond
youth and a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind,
wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage
for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty is also comprehended. She will
follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrouled!
Oh! my dear father, can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured
and despised wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not be often
involved in the disgrace?«
    Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject; and affectionately
taking her hand, said in reply,
    »Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known,
