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apprehension of disgrace in the corps might throw on a
dishonourable elopement with her； I am not able to judge； for I
know nothing of the effects that such a step might produce。 But as
to your other objection； I am afraid it will hardly hold good。 Lydia
has no brothers to step forward； and he might imagine； from my
father’s behaviour； from his indolence and the little attention he
has ever seemed to give to what was going forward in his family；
that he would do as little； and think as little about it； as any father
could do； in such a matter。’
‘But can you think that Lydia is so lost to every thing but love of
him； as to consent to live with him on any other terms than
marriage？’
‘It does seem； and it is most shocking indeed；’ replied Elizabeth；
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with tears in her eyes； ‘that a sister’s sense of decency and virtue
in such a point should admit of doubt。 But； really； I know not what
to say。 Perhaps I am not doing her justice。 But she is very young；
she has never been taught to think on serious subjects； and for the
last half year； nay； for a twelvemonth； she has been given up to
nothing but amusement and vanity。 She has been allowed to
dispose of her time in the most idle and frivolous manner； and to
adopt any opinions that came in her way。 Since the —shire were
first quartered in Meryton； nothing but love； flirtation； and
officers； have been in her head。 She has been doing every thing in
her power by thinking and talking on the subject； to give greater—
what shall I call it？ susceptibility to her feelings； which are
naturally lively enough。 And we all know that Wickham has every
charm of person and address that can captivate a woman。’
‘But you see that Jane；’ said her aunt； ‘does not think so ill of
Wickham； as to believe him capable of the attempt。’
‘Of whom does Jane ever think ill？ And who is there； whatever
might be their former conduct； that she would believe capable of
such an attempt； till it were proved against them？ But Jane
knows； as well as I do； what Wickham really is。 We both know that
he has been profligate in every sense of the word。 That he has
neither integrity nor honour。 That he is as false and deceitful； as
he is insinuating。’
‘And do you really know all this？’ cried Mrs。 Gardiner； whose
curiosity as to the mode of her intelligence was all alive。
‘I do； indeed；’ replied Elizabeth； colouring。 ‘I told you the other
day； of his infamous behaviour to Mr。 Darcy； and you； yourself；
when last at Longbourn； heard in what manner he spoke of the
man； who had behaved with such forbearance and liberality
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towards him。 And there are other circumstances which I am not at
liberty—which it is not worth while to relate； but his lies about the
whole Pemberley family are endless。 From what he said of Miss
Darcy； I was thoroughly prepared to see a proud； reserved；
disagreeable girl。 Yet he knew to the contrary himself。 He must
know that she was as amiable and unpretending as we have found
her。’
‘But does Lydia know nothing of this？ Can she be ignorant of
what you and Jane seem so well to understand？’
‘Oh； yes！—that； that is the worst of all。 Till I was in Kent； and
saw so much both of Mr。 Darcy and his relation； Colonel
Fitzwilliam； I was ignorant of the truth myself。 And when I
returned home； the —shire was to leave Meryton in a week or
fortnight’s time。 As that was the case； neither Jane； to whom I
related the whole； nor I； thought it necessary to make our
knowledge public； for of what use could it apparently be to any
one； that the good opinion which all the neighbourhood had of
him； should then be overthrown？ And even when it was settled
that Lydia should go with Mrs。 Forster； the necessity of opening
her eyes to his character never occurred to me。 That she could be
in any danger from the deception never entered my head。 That
such a consequence as this should ensue； you may easily believe
was far enough from my thoughts。’
‘When they all removed to Brighton； therefore； you had no
reason； I suppose； to believe them fond of each other。’
‘Not the slightest。 I can remember no symptom of affection on
either side； and had any thing of the kind been perceptible； you
must be aware that ours is not a family； on which it could be
thrown away。 When first he entered the corps； she was ready
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enough to admire him； but so we all were。 Every girl in； or near
Meryton； was out of her senses about him for the first two months；
but he never distinguished her by any particular attention； and；
consequently； after a moderate period of extravagant and wild
admiration； her fancy for him gave way； and others of the
regiment； who treated her with more distinction； again became
her favourites。’
———————
It may be easily believed； that however little of novelty could be
added to their fears； hopes； and conjectures； on this interesting
subject； by its repeated discussion； no other could detain them
from it long； during the whole of the journey。 From Elizabeth’s
thoughts it was never absent。 Fixed there by the keenest of all
anguish； self reproach； she could find no interval of ease or
forgetfulness。
They travelled as expeditiously as possible； and sleeping one
night on the road； reached Longbourn by dinner…time the next
day。 It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not
have been wearied by long expectations。
The little Gardiners； attracted by the sight of a chaise； were
standing on the steps of the house； as they entered the paddock；
and when the carriage drove up to the door； the joyful surprise
that lighted up their faces； and displayed itself over their whole
bodies； in a variety of capers and frisks； was the first pleasing
earnest of their welcome。
Elizabeth jumped out； and； after giving each of them an hasty
kiss； hurried into the vestibule； where Jane； who came running
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down stairs from her mother’s apartment； immediately met her。
Elizabeth； as she affectionately embraced her； whilst tears filled
the eyes of both； lost not a moment in asking whether any thing
had been heard of the fugitives。
‘Not yet；’ replied Jane。 ‘But now that my dear uncle is come； I
hope every thing will be well。’
‘Is my father in town？’
‘Yes； he went on Tuesday as I wrote you word。’
‘And have you heard from him often？’
‘We have heard only once。 He wrote me a few lines on
Wednesday； to say that he had arrived in safety； and to give me his
directions； which I particularly begged him to do。 He merely
added； that he should not write again； till he had something of
importance to mention。’
‘And my mother—How is she？ How are you all？’
‘My mother is tolerably well； I trust； though her spirits are
greatly