Chapter 33 181
" Care of him! Yes, I really believe Darcy does take care of him in those points where he most wants care. From something that he told me in our journey hither, I have reason to think Bingley very much indebted to him. But I ought to beg his pardon, for I have no right to suppose that Bingley was the person meant. It was all conjecture."
" What is it you mean?"
" It is a circumstance which Darcy could not wish to be generally known, because if it were to get round to the lady ' s family, it would be an unpleasant thing."
" You may depend upon my not mentioning it."
" And remember that I have not much reason for supposing it to be Bingley. What he told me was merely this: that he congratulated himself on having lately saved a friend from the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage, but without mentioning names or any other particulars, and I only suspected it to be Bingley from believing him the kind of young man to get into a scrape of that sort, and from knowing them to have been together the whole of last summer."
" Did Mr. Darcy give you reasons for this interference?" " I understood that there were some very strong objections against the lady." " And what arts did he use to separate them?"
" He did not talk to me of his own arts," said Fitzwilliam, smiling. " He only told me what I have now told you."
Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with indignation. After watching her a little, Fitzwilliam asked her why she was so thoughtful.