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little inconvenience to himself； as by the present arrangement。 He
would scarcely be ten pounds a…year the loser； by the hundred that
was to be paid them； for； what with her board and pocket
allowance； and the continual presents in money； which passed to
her； through her mother’s hands； Lydia’s expences had been very
little within that sum。
That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side；
too； was another very welcome surprise； for his chief wish at
present； was to have as little trouble in the business as possible。
When the first transports of rage which had produced his activity
in seeking her were over； he naturally returned to all his former
indolence。 His letter was soon dispatched； for though dilatory in
undertaking business； he was quick in its execution。 He begged to
know farther particulars of what he was indebted to his brother；
but was too angry with Lydia； to send any message to her。
The good news quickly spread through the house； and with
proportionate speed through the neighbourhood。 It was borne in
the latter with decent philosophy。 To be sure it would have been
more for the advantage of conversation； had Miss Lydia Bennet
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come upon the town； or； as the happiest alternative； been secluded
from the world； in some distant farm house。 But there was much
to be talked of； in marrying her； and the good…natured wishes for
her well…doing； which had proceeded before； from all the spiteful
old ladies in Meryton； lost but little of their spirit in this change of
circumstances； because with such an husband； her misery was
considered certain。
It was a fortnight since Mrs。 Bennet had been down stairs； but
on this happy day； she again took her seat at the head of her table；
and in spirits oppressively high。 No sentiment of shame gave a
damp to her triumph。 The marriage of a daughter； which had been
the first object of her wishes； since Jane was sixteen； was now on
the point of accomplishment； and her thoughts and her words ran
wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials； fine muslins； new
carriages； and servants。 She was busily searching through the
neighbourhood for a proper situation for her daughter； and；
without knowing or considering what their income might be；
rejected many as deficient in size and importance。
‘Haye…Park might do；’ said she； ‘if the Gouldings would quit it；
or the great house at Stoke； if the drawing…room were larger； but
Ashworth is too far off！ I could not bear to have her ten miles from
me； and as for Purvis Lodge； the attics are dreadful。’
Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption； while
the servants remained。 But when they had withdrawn； he said to
her； ‘Mrs。 Bennet； before you take any； or all of these houses； for
your son and daughter； let us come to a right understanding。 Into
one house in this neighbourhood； they shall never have
admittance。 I will not encourage the impudence of either； by
receiving them at Longbourn。’
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A long dispute followed this declaration； but Mr。 Bennet was
firm： it soon led to another； and Mrs。 Bennet found； with
amazement and horror； that her husband would not advance a
guinea to buy clothes for his daughter。 He protested that she
should receive from him no mark of affection whatever； on the
occasion。 Mrs。 Bennet could hardly comprehend it。 That his anger
could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment； as to
refuse his daughter a privilege； without which her marriage would
scarcely seem valid； exceeded all that she could believe possible。
She was more alive to the disgrace； which the want of new clothes
must reflect on her daughter’s nuptials； than to any sense of
shame at her eloping and living with Wickham； a fortnight before
they took place。
Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had； from the
distress of the moment； been led to make Mr。 Darcy acquainted
with their fears for her sister； for since her marriage would so
shortly give the proper termination to the elopement； they might
hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning； from all those who
were not immediately on the spot。
She had no fear of its spreading farther； through his means。
There were few people on whose secrecy she would have more
confidently depended； but at the same time； there was no one；
whose knowledge of a sister’s frailty would have mortified her so
much。 Not； however； from any fear of disadvantage from it；
individually to herself； for at any rate； there seemed a gulf
impassable between them。 Had Lydia’s marriage been concluded
on the most honourable terms； it was not to be supposed that Mr。
Darcy would connect himself with a family； where to every other
objection would now be added； an alliance and relationship of the
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nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned。
From such a connection she could not wonder that he should
shrink。 The wish of procuring her regard； which she had assured
herself of his feeling in Derbyshire； could not in rational
expectation survive such a blow as this。 She was humbled； she was
grieved； she repented； though she hardly knew of what。 She
became jealous of his esteem； when she could no longer hope to be
benefited by it。 She wanted to hear of him； when there seemed the
least chance of gaining intelligence。 She was convinced that she
could have been happy with him； when it was no longer likely they
should meet。
What a triumph for him； as she often thought； could he know
that the proposals which she had proudly spurned only four
months ago； would now have been gladly and gratefully received！
He was as generous； she doubted not； as the most generous of his
sex。 But while he was mortal； there must be a triumph。
She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man；
who； in disposition and talents； would most suit her。 His
understanding and temper； though unlike her own； would have
answered all her wishes。 It was an union that must have been to
the advantage of both； by her ease and liveliness； his mind might
have been softened； his manners improved； and from his
judgment； information； and knowledge of the world； she must
have received benefit of greater importance。
But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring
multitude what connubial felicity really was。 An union of a
different tendency； and precluding the possibility of the other； was
soon to be formed in their family。
How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable
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independence； she could not imagine。 But how little of permanent
happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought
together because their passions were stronger than their virtue；
she could easily conjecture。
——————
Mr。 Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother。 To Mr。 Bennet’s
acknowledgments he briefly replied； with assurances of his
eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family； and
concluded with intreaties tha