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eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family； and
concluded with intreaties that the subject might never be
mentioned to him again。 The principal purport of his letter was to
inform them； that Mr。 Wickham had resolved on quitting the
Militia。
‘It was greatly my wish that he should do so；’ he added； ‘as soon
as his marriage was fixed on。 And I think you will agree with me；
in considering a removal from that corps as highly advisable； both
on his account and my niece’s。 It is Mr。 Wickham’s intention to go
into the regulars； and； among his former friends； there are still
some who are able and willing to assist him in the army。 He has
the promise of an ensigncy in General —’s regiment； now
quartered in the North。 It is an advantage to have it so far from
this part of the kingdom。 He promises fairly； and I hope among
different people； where they may each have a character to
preserve； they will both be more prudent。 I have written to Colonel
Forster； to inform him of our present arrangements； and to
request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr。 Wickham in
and near Brighton； with assurances of speedy payment； for which
I have pledged myself。 And will you give yourself the trouble of
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carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton； of whom I
shall subjoin a list； according to his information。 He has given in
all his debts； I hope at least he has not deceived us。 Haggerston
has our directions； and all will be completed in a week。 They will
then join his regiment； unless they are first invited to Longbourn；
and I understand from Mrs。 Gardiner； that my niece is very
desirous of seeing you all； before she leaves the South。 She is well；
and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her mother。—
Your’s； &c。
‘E。 Gardiner。’
Mr。 Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of
Wickham’s removal from the —shire； as clearly as Mr。 Gardiner
could do。 But Mrs。 Bennet； was not so well pleased with it。 Lydia’s
being settled in the North； just when she had expected most
pleasure and pride in her company； for she had by no means given
up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire； was a severe
disappointment； and besides； it was such a pity that Lydia should
be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with every
body； and had so many favourites。
‘She is so fond of Mrs。 Forster；’ said she； ‘it will be quite
shocking to send her away！ And there are several of the young
men； too； that she likes very much。 The officers may not be so
pleasant in General —’s regiment。’
His daughter’s request； for such it might be considered； of
being admitted into her family again； before she set off for the
North； received at first an absolute negative。 But Jane and
Elizabeth； who agreed in wishing； for the sake of their sister’s
feelings and consequence； that she should be noticed on her
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marriage by her parents； urged him so earnestly； yet so rationally
and so mildly； to receive her and her husband at Longbourn； as
soon as they were married； that he was prevailed on to think as
they thought； and act as they wished。 And their mother had the
satisfaction of knowing； that she should be able to shew her
married daughter in the neighbourhood； before she was banished
to the North。 When Mr。 Bennet wrote again to his brother；
therefore； he sent his permission for them to come； and it was
settled； that as soon as the ceremony was over； they should
proceed to Longbourn。 Elizabeth was surprised； however； that
Wickham should consent to such a scheme； and； had she consulted
only her own inclination； any meeting with him would have been
the last object of her wishes。
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CHAPTER IX
heir sister’s wedding day arrived； and Jane and Elizabeth
felt for her probably more than she felt for herself。 The
T
carriage was sent to meet them at —； and they were to
return in it； by dinner…time。 Their arrival was dreaded by the elder
Miss Bennets； and Jane more especially； who gave Lydia the
feelings which would have attended herself； had she been the
culprit； was wretched in the thought of what her sister must
endure。
They came。 The family were assembled in the breakfast room；
to receive them。 Smiles decked the face of Mrs。 Bennet； as the
carriage drove up to the door； her husband looked impenetrably
grave； her daughters； alarmed； anxious； uneasy。
Lydia’s voice was heard in the vestibule； the door was thrown
open； and she ran into the room。 Her mother stepped forwards；
embraced her； and welcomed her with rapture； gave her hand
with an affectionate smile to Wickham； who followed his lady； and
wished them both joy； with an alacrity which shewed no doubt of
their happiness。
Their reception from Mr。 Bennet； to whom they then turned；
was not quite so cordial。 His countenance rather gained in
austerity； and he scarcely opened his lips。 The easy assurance of
the young couple； indeed； was enough to provoke him。 Elizabeth
was disgusted； and even Miss Bennet was shocked。 Lydia was
Lydia still； untamed； unabashed； wild； noisy； and fearless。 She
turned from sister to sister； demanding their congratulations； and
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when at length they all sat down； looked eagerly round the room；
took notice of some little alteration in it； and observed； with a
laugh； that it was a great while since she had been there。
Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself； but his
manners were always so pleasing； that had his character and his
marriage been exactly what they ought； his smiles and his easy
address； while he claimed their relationship； would have delighted
them all。 Elizabeth had not before believed him quite equal to
such assurance； but she sat down； resolving within herself； to
draw no limits in future to the impudence of an impudent man。
She blushed； and Jane blushed； but the cheeks of the two who
caused their confusion； suffered no variation of colour。
There was no want of discourse。 The bride and her mother
could neither of them talk fast enough； and Wickham； who
happened to sit near Elizabeth； began enquiring after his
acquaintance in that neighbourhood； with a good humoured ease；
which she felt very unable to equal in her replies。 They seemed
each of them to have the happiest memories in the world。 Nothing
of the past was recollected with pain； and Lydia led voluntarily to
subjects； which her sisters would not have alluded to for the world。
‘Only think of its being three months；’ she cried； ‘since I went
away； it seems but a fortnight I declare； and yet there have been
thing