 weight. They had
nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably had, and if not, it would
certainly be imputed by the inhabitants of a small market-town, where the family
did not visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did
much good among the poor.
    With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held
there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns, with the son of
his patron, were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well known fact that, on
his quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy
afterwards discharged.
    As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this evening more than the
last; and the evening, though as it passed it seemed long, was not long enough
to determine her feelings towards one in that mansion; and she lay awake two
whole hours, endeavouring to make them out. She certainly did not hate him. No;
hatred had vanished long ago, and she had almost as long been ashamed of ever
feeling a dislike against him, that could be so called. The respect created by
the conviction of his valuable qualities, though at first unwillingly admitted,
had for some time ceased to be repugnant to her feelings; and it was now
heightened into somewhat of a friendlier nature, by the testimony so highly in
his favour, and bringing forward his disposition in so amiable a light, which
yesterday had produced. But above all, above respect and esteem, there was a
motive within her of good will which could not be overlooked. It was gratitude.
- Gratitude, not merely for having once loved her, but for loving her still well
enough, to forgive all the petulance and acrimony of her manner in rejecting
him, and all the unjust accusations accompanying her rejection. He who, she had
been persuaded, would avoid her as his greatest enemy, seemed, on this
accidental meeting, most eager to preserve the acquaintance, and without any
indelicate display of regard, or any peculiarity of manner, where their two
selves only were concerned, was soliciting the good opinion of her friends, and
bent on making her known to his sister. Such a change in a man of so much pride,
excited not only astonishment but gratitude - for to love, ardent love, it must
be attributed; and as such its impression on her was of a sort to be encouraged,
as by no means unpleasing, though it could not be exactly defined. She
respected, she esteemed, she was grateful to
