Chapter 16 80
" 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 before 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 anything and everything , 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 further 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 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 Denny tempted me further by his account of their present quarters , and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them . Society , I own , is necessary to me . I have been a disappointed man , and my spirits will not