"And did Colonel Forster appear to think well of Wickham himself? Does he know his real character?"

     "I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt; but I hope this may be false."

     "Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we knew of him, this could not have happened!"

     "Perhaps it would have been better," replied her sister. "But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were, seemed unjustifiable. We acted with the best intentions."

     "Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's note to his wife?"

     "He brought it with him for us to see."

     Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to Elizabeth. These were the contents:

     "MY DEAR HARRIET,