Chapter 16 82
" But what ," said she , after a pause , " can have been his motive ? What can have induced him to behave so cruelly ?"
" A thorough , determined dislike of me--a dislike which I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy . Had the late Mr . Darcy liked me less , his son might have borne with me better ; but his father ' s uncommon attachment to me irritated him , I believe , very early in life . He had not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood--the sort of preference which was often given me ."
" I had not thought Mr . Darcy so bad as this--though I have never liked him . I had not thought so very ill of him . I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general , but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge , such injustice , such inhumanity as this ."
After a few minutes ' reflection , however , she continued , " I do remember his boasting one day , at Netherfield , of the implacability of his resentments , of his having an unforgiving temper . His disposition must be dreadful ."
" I will not trust myself on the subject ," replied Wickham ; " I can hardly be just to him ."
Elizabeth was again deep in thought , and after a time exclaimed , " To treat in such a manner the godson , the friend , the favourite of his father !" She could have added , " A young man , too , like you , whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable " --but she contented herself with , " and one , too , who had probably been his companion from childhood , connected together , as I think you said , in the closest manner !"
" We were born in the same parish , within the same park ; the greatest part of our youth was passed together ; inmates of the same house , sharing the same amusements , objects of the same parental care . My father began life in the profession which your uncle , Mr . Phillips , appears to do so much credit to--but he gave up everything to be of use to the late Mr . Darcy and devoted all his time to the care of the Pemberley property . He was most highly esteemed by Mr . Darcy , a most intimate , confidential friend . Mr .