, except Netherfield. He is not at all liked in Hertfordshire.
Every body is disgusted with his pride. You will not find him more favourably
spoken of by any one.«
    »I cannot pretend to be sorry,« said Wickham, after a short interruption,
»that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with
him I believe it does not often happen. The world is blinded by his fortune and
consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only
as he chuses to be seen.«
    »I should take him, even on my slight acquaintance, to be an ill-tempered
man.« Wickham only shook his head.
    »I wonder,« said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, »whether he is
likely to be in this country much longer.«
    »I do not at all know; but I heard nothing of his going away when I was at
Netherfield. I hope your plans in favour of the --shire will not be affected by
his being in the neighbourhood.«
    »Oh! no - it is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. If he wishes to
avoid seeing me, he must go. We are not on friendly terms, and it always gives
me pain to meet him, but I have no reason for avoiding him but what I might
proclaim to all the world; a sense of very great ill usage, and most painful
regrets at his being what he is. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy,
was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had;
and I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the
soul by a thousand tender recollections. His behaviour to myself has been
scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him any thing and every thing,
rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his
father.«
    Elizabeth found the interest of the subject increase, and listened with all
her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented farther inquiry.
    Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the
neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that he had yet
seen, and speaking of the latter especially, with gentle but very intelligible
gallantry.
    »It was the prospect of constant society, and good society,« he added,
»which was my chief inducement to enter the --shire. I knew it to be a most
respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend