第105章[第1页/共5页]

“Of whom does Jane ever think ill?And who is there,whatever might be their former conduct, that she would think capable of such an attempt, till it were proved against them? But Jane knows, as well as I do, what Wickham really is.We both know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word;that he has neither integrity nor honour;that he is as false and deceitful as he is insinuating.”

“Well, then―supposing them to be in London. They may be there, though for the purpose of concealment, for no more exceptional purpose. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on either side;and it might strike them that they could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married in London than in Scotland.”

“Oh!but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is such a presumption!And,besides,no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road.”

“Not,perhaps,of neglecting his own interest;but of every other neglect I can believe him capable.If,indeed,it should be so!But I dare not hope it.Why should they not go on to Scotland if that had been the case?”

“But you see that Jane,”said her aunt,“does not think so very ill of Wickham as to believe him capable of the attempt.”