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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 336
CHAPTER VI
he whole party were in hopes of a letter from Mr。 Bennet
the next morning； but the post came in without bringing a
T
single line from him。 His family knew him to be on all
common occasions； a most negligent and dilatory correspondent；
but at such a time； they had hoped for exertion。 They were forced
to conclude； that he had no pleasing intelligence to send； but even
of that they would have been glad to be certain。 Mr。 Gardiner had
waited only for the letters before he set off。
When he was gone； they were certain at least of receiving
constant information of what was going on； and their uncle
promised； at parting； to prevail on Mr。 Bennet to return to
Longbourn； as soon as he could； to the great consolation of his
sister； who considered it as the only security for her husband’s not
being killed in a duel。
Mrs。 Gardiner and the children were to remain in Hertfordshire
a few days longer； as the former thought her presence might be
serviceable to her nieces。 She shared in their attendance on Mrs。
Bennet； and was a great comfort to them； in their hours of
freedom。 Their other aunt also visited them frequently； and
always； as she said； with the design of cheering and heartening
them up； though as she never came without reporting some fresh
instance of Wickham’s extravagance or irregularity； she seldom
went away without leaving them more dispirited than she found
them。
All Meryton seemed striving to blacken the man； who； but three
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 337
months before； had been almost an angel of light。 He was declared
to be in debt to every tradesman in the place； and his intrigues； all
honoured with the title of seduction； had been extended into every
tradesman’s family。 Every body declared that he was the
wickedest young man in the world； and every body began to find
out； that they had always distrusted the appearance of his
goodness。 Elizabeth； though she did not credit above half of what
was said； believed enough to make her former assurance of her
sister’s ruin still more certain； and even Jane； who believed still
less of it； became almost hopeless； more especially as the time was
now come； when if they had gone to Scotland； which she had
never before entirely despaired of； they must in all probability
have gained some news of them。
Mr。 Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday； on Tuesday； his wife
received a letter from him； it told them； that on his arrival； he had
immediately found out his brother； and persuaded him to come to
Gracechurch…street。 That Mr。 Bennet had been to Epsom and
Clapham； before his arrival； but without gaining any satisfactory
information； and that he was now determined to enquire at all the
principal hotels in town； as Mr。 Bennet thought it possible they
might have gone to one of them； on their first coming to London；
before they procured lodgings。 Mr。 Gardiner himself did not
expect any success from this measure； but as his brother was
eager in it； he meant to assist him in pursuing it。 He added； that
Mr。 Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present； to leave London；
and promised to write again very soon。 There was also a postscript
to this effect。
‘I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find out； if
possible； from some of the young man’s intimates in the regiment；
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 338
whether Wickham has any relations or connections； who would be
likely to know in what part of the town he has now concealed
himself。 If there were any one； that one could apply to； with a
probability of gaining such a clue as that； it might be of essential
consequence。 At present we have nothing to guide us。 Colonel
Forster will； I dare say； do every thing in his power to satisfy us on
this head。 But； on second thoughts； perhaps Lizzy could tell us；
what relations he has now living； better than any other person。’
Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this
deference for her authority proceeded； but it was not in her power
to give any information of so satisfactory a nature； as the
compliment deserved。
She had never heard of his having had any relations； except a
father and mother； both of whom had been dead many years。 It
was possible； however； that some of his companions in the —shire；
might be able to give more information； and； though she was not
very sanguine in expecting it； the application was a something to
look forward to。
Every day at Longbourn was now a day of anxiety； but the most
anxious part of each was when the post was expected。 The arrival
of letters was the first grand object of every morning’s impatience。
Through letters； whatever of good or bad was to be told； would be
communicated； and every succeeding day was expected to bring
some news of importance。
But before they heard again from Mr。 Gardiner； a letter arrived
for their father； from a different quarter； from Mr。 Collins； which；
as Jane had received directions to open all that came for him in his
absence； she accordingly read； and Elizabeth； who knew what
curiosities his letters always were； looked over her； and read it
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 339
likewise。 It was as follows：
‘My Dear Sir；
‘I feel myself called upon； by our relationship； and my situation
in life； to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now
suffering under； of which we were yesterday informed by a letter
from Hertfordshire。 Be assured； my dear Sir； that Mrs。 Collins and
myself sincerely sympathise with you； and all your respectable
family； in your present distress； which must be of the bitterest
kind； because proceeding from a cause which no time can remove。
No arguments shall be wanting on my part； that can alleviate so
severe a misfortune； or that may comfort you； under a
circumstance that must be of all others most afflicting to a parent’s
mind。 The death of your daughter would have been a blessing in
comparison of this。 And it is the more to be lamented； because
there is reason to suppose； as my dear Charlotte informs me； that
this licentiousness of behaviour in your daughter； has proceeded
from a faulty degree of indulgence； though； at the same time； for
the consolation of yourself and Mrs。 Bennet； I am inclined to think
that her own disposition must be naturally bad； or she could not
be guilty of such an enormity； at so early an age。 Howsoever that
may be； you are grievously to be pitied； in which opinion I am not
only joined by Mrs。 Collins； but likewise by Lady Catherine and
her daughter； to whom I have related the affair。 They agree with
me in apprehending that this false step in one daughter； will be
injurious to the fortunes of all the others； for who； as Lady
Catherine herself condescendingly says； will connect themselves
with such a family。 And this consideration leads me moreover to
reflect with augmented satisfaction on a certain event of last
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Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 340
November； for had it been otherwise； I must have been involved in
all your sorrow and disgrace。 Let me advise you then； my dear Sir