第86章

/>     In vain did Elizabeth attempt to make her reasonable,and Jane to make her resigned.As for Elizabeth herself,this invitation was so far from exciting in her the same feelings as in her mother and Lydia, that she considered it as the death warrant of all possibility of common sense for the latter;and detestable as such a step must make her were it known,she could not help secretly advising her father not to let her go.She represented to him all the improprieties of Lydia's general behaviour,the little advantage she could derive from the friendship of such a woman as Mrs. Forster,and the probability of her being yet more imprudent with such a companion at Brighton, where the temptations must be greater than at home.He heard her attentively,and then said:

    “Lydia will never be easy until she has exposed herself in some public place or other,and we can never expect her to do it with so little expense or inconvenience to her family as under the present circumstances.”

    “If you were aware,”said Elizabeth,“of the very great disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent manner—nay,which has already arisen from it,I am sure you would judge differently in the affair.”

    “Already arisen?”repeated Mr. Bennet.“What, has she frightened away some of your lovers? Poor little Lizzy! But do not be cast down. Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.Come, let me see the list of pitiful fellows who have been kept aloof by Lydia's folly.”

    “Indeed you are mistaken. I have no such injuries to resent. It is not of particular, but of general evils, which I am now complaining. Our importance, our respectability in the world must be affected by the wild volatility,the assurance and disdain of all restraint which mark Lydia's character. Excuse me, for I must speak plainly. If you, my dear father, will not take the trouble of checking her exuberant spirits, and of teaching her that her present pursuits are not to be the business of her life, she will soon be beyond the reach of amendment.Her character will be fixed,and she will,at sixteen,be the most determined flirt that ever made herself or her family ridiculous;a flirt,too,in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and, from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind,wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty also is comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads.Vain,ignorant,idle,and absolutely uncontrolled!Oh!my dear father,can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace?”

    Mr. Bennet saw that her whole heart was in the subject, and affectionately taking her hand said in reply: