But in an instant arose the dreadful suspicion of his being purposely omitted for Mr. Darcy's pleasure in the Bingleys' invitation to the officers; and though this was not exactly the case, the absolute fact of his absence was pronounced by his friend Denny, to whom Lydia eagerly applied, and who told them that Wickham had been obliged to go to town on business the day before, and was not yet returned; adding, with a significant smile, "I do not imagine his business would have called him away just now, if he had not wanted to avoid a certain gentleman here."
Bien que la supposition fut inexacte, son absence fut bientôt confirmée par son ami, Mr. Denny ; a Lydia qui le pressait de questions il répondit que Wickham avait du partir pour Londres la veille et qu’il n’était point encore de retour, ajoutant d’un air significatif : – Je ne crois pas que ses affaires l’eussent décidé a s’absenter précisément aujourd’hui s’il n’avait eu surtout le désir d’éviter une rencontre avec un gentleman de cette société.