 anger which she had herself incurred in
the business, had given something more of fretfulness than usual, to the accents
of Kitty. As for Mary, she was mistress enough of herself to whisper to
Elizabeth with a countenance of grave reflection, soon after they were seated at
table,
    »This is a most unfortunate affair; and will probably be much talked of. But
we must stem the tide of malice, and pour into the wounded bosoms of each other,
the balm of sisterly consolation.«
    Then, perceiving in Elizabeth no inclination of replying, she added,
»Unhappy as the event must be for Lydia, we may draw from it this useful lesson;
that loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable - that one false step involves
her in endless ruin - that her reputation is no less brittle than it is
beautiful, - and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behaviour towards
the undeserving of the other sex.«
    Elizabeth lifted up her eyes in amazement, but was too much oppressed to
make any reply. Mary, however, continued to console herself with such kind of
moral extractions from the evil before them.
    In the afternoon, the two elder Miss Bennets were able to be for half an
hour by themselves; and Elizabeth instantly availed herself of the opportunity
of making many enquiries, which Jane was equally eager to satisfy. After joining
in general lamentations over the dreadful sequel of this event, which Elizabeth
considered as all but certain, and Miss Bennet could not assert to be wholly
impossible; the former continued the subject, by saying, »But tell me all and
every thing about it, which I have not already heard. Give me farther
particulars. What did Colonel Forster say? Had they no apprehension of any thing
before the elopement took place? They must have seen them together for ever.«
    »Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some partiality,
especially on Lydia's side, but nothing to give him any alarm. I am so grieved
for him. His behaviour was attentive and kind to the utmost. He was coming to
us, in order to assure us of his concern, before he had any idea of their not
being gone to Scotland: when that apprehension first got abroad, it hastened his
journey.«
    »And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry? Did he know of their
intending to go off? Had Colonel Forster seen Denny himself?«
    »Yes; but when questioned by him Denny denied knowing any thing of their
plan, and would not give his real opinion about it. He did not repeat his
