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they no apprehension of any thing before the elopement took
place？ They must have seen them together for ever。’
‘Colonel Forster did own that he had often suspected some
partiality； especially on Lydia’s side； but nothing to give him any
alarm。 I am so grieved for him。 His behaviour was attentive and
kind to the utmost。 He was coming to us； in order to assure us of
his concern； before he had any idea of their not being gone to
Scotland： when that apprehension first got abroad； it hastened his
journey。’
‘And was Denny convinced that Wickham would not marry？
Did he know of their intending to go off？ Had Colonel Forster seen
Denny himself？’
‘Yes； but when questioned by him Denny denied knowing any
thing of their plan； and would not give his real opinion about it。 He
did not repeat his persuasion of their not marrying—and from
that； I am inclined to hope； he might have been misunderstood
before。’
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‘And till Colonel Forster came himself； not one of you
entertained a doubt； I suppose； of their being really married ？’
‘How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains！
I felt a little uneasy—a little fearful of my sister’s happiness with
him in marriage； because I knew that his conduct had not been
always quite right。 My father and mother knew nothing of that；
they only felt how imprudent a match it must be。 Kitty then
owned； with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the
rest of us； that in Lydia’s last letter； she had prepared her for such
a step。 She had known； it seems； of their being in love with each
other； many weeks。’
‘But not before they went to Brighton？’
‘No； I believe not。’
‘And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill 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
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Elizabeth。 These were the contents：
‘My Dear Harriet；
‘You will laugh when you know where I am gone； and I cannot
help laughing myself at your surprise to…morrow morning； as soon
as I am missed。 I am going to Gretna Green； and if you cannot
guess with who； I shall think you a simpleton； for there is but one
man in the world I love； and he is an angel。 I should never be
happy without him； so think it no harm to be off。 You need not
send them word at Longbourn of my going； if you do not like it； for
it will make the surprise the greater； when I write to them； and
sign my name Lydia Wickham。 What a good joke it will be！ I can
hardly write for laughing。 Pray make my excuses to Pratt； for not
keeping my engagement； and dancing with him to…night。 Tell him
I hope he will excuse me when he knows all； and tell him I will
dance with him at the next ball we meet； with great pleasure。 I
shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn； but I wish you
would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown；
before they are packed up。 Good bye。 Give my love to Colonel
Forster； I hope you will drink to our good journey。
‘Your affectionate friend；
‘Lydia Bennet。’
‘Oh！ thoughtless； thoughtless Lydia！’ cried Elizabeth when she
had finished it。 ‘What a letter is this； to be written at such a
moment。 But at least it shews； that she was serious in the object of
her journey。 Whatever he might afterwards persuade her to； it was
not on her side a scheme of infamy。 My poor father！ how he must
have felt it！’
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‘I never saw any one so shocked。 He could not speak a word for
full ten minutes。 My mother was taken ill immediately； and the
whole house in such confusion！’
‘Oh！ Jane；’ cried Elizabeth； ‘was there a servant belonging to it；
who did not know the whole story before the end of the day？’
‘I do not know。—I hope there was。—But to be guarded at such a
time； is very difficult。 My mother was in hysterics； and though I
endeavoured to give her every assistance in my power； I am afraid
I did not do so much as I might have done！ But the horror of what
might possibly happen； almost took from me my faculties。’
‘Your attendance upon her； has been too much for you。 You do
not look well。 Oh！ that I had been with you； you have had every
care and anxiety upon yourself alone。’
‘Mary and Kitty have been very kind； and would have shared in
every fatigue； I am sure； but I did not think it right for either of
them。 Kitty is slight and delicate； and Mary studies so much； that
her hours of repose should not be broken in on。 My aunt Philips
came to Longbourn on Tuesday； after my father went away； and
was so good as to stay till Thursday with me。 She was of great use
and comfort to us all； and Lady Lucas has been very kind； she
walked here on Wednesday morning to condole with us； and
offered her services； or any of her daughters； if they could be of
use to us。
‘She had better have stayed at home；’ cried Elizabeth； ‘perhaps
she meant well； but； under such a misfortune as this； one cannot
see too little of one’s neighbours。 Assistance is impossible；
condolence； insufferable。 Let them triumph over us at a distance；
and be satisfied。’
She then proceeded to enquire into the measures which her
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father had intended to pursue； while in town； for the recovery of
his daughter。
‘He meant； I believe；’ replied Jane； ‘to go to Epsom； the place
where they last changed horses； see the postilions； and try if any
thing could be made out from them。 His principal object must be；
to discover the number of the hackney coach which took them
from Clapham。 It had come with a fare from London； and as he
thought the circumstance of a gentleman and lady’s removing
from one carriage into another； might be remarked； he meant to
make enquiries at Clapham。 If he could any how discover at what
house the coachman had before set down his fare； he determined
to make enquiries there； and hoped it might not be impossible to
find out the stand and number of the coach。 I do not know of any
other designs that he had formed： but he was in such a hurry to be
gone； and his spirits so greatly discomposed； that I had difficulty in
finding out even so much as this。’
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