CHAPTER L.

1Mr. Bennet had very often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum, for the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. 2He now wished it more than ever. 3Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now be purchased for her. 4The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have rested in its proper place.

5He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law; and he was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.

6When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. 7This son was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow and younger children would by that means be provided for. 8Five daughters successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many years after Lydia’s birth, had been certain that he would. 9This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be saving. 10Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy; and her husband’s love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their income.

11Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet and the children. 12But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents. 13This was one point, with regard to Lydia at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. 14In terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the engagements that had been made for him. 15He had never before supposed that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present arrangement. 16He 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 expenses had been very little within that sum.

17That 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. 18When the first transports of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he naturally returned to all his former indolence. 19His letter was soon despatched; for though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. 20He begged to know further particulars of what he was indebted to his brother; but was too angry with Lydia to send any message to her.

21The good news quickly spread through the house; and with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. 22It was borne in the latter with decent philosophy. 23To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been secluded from the world in some distant farm-house. 24But 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 a husband her misery was considered certain.

25It 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. 26No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. 27The 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. 28She 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.

29“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. 30I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for Purvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.”

31Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants remained. 32But 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. 33Into one house in this neighbourhood they shall never have admittance. 34I will not encourage the imprudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn.”

35A 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. 36He protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever on the occasion. 37Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. 38That 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. 39She was more alive to the disgrace, which her 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.

40Elizabeth 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.

41She had no fear of its spreading farther, through his means. 42There 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. 43Not, however, from any fear of disadvantage from it individually to herself; for at any rate there seemed a gulf impassable between them. 44Had 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 nearest kind with the man whom he so justly scorned.

45From such a connection she could not wonder that he should shrink. 46The 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. 47She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what. 48She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it. 49She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. 50She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet.

51What 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! 52He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex. 53But while he was mortal, there must be a triumph.

54She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. 55His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. 56It 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.

57But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was. 58An union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the other, was soon to be formed in their family.

59How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence she could not imagine. 60But 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.

61Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. 62To Mr. Bennet’s acknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurances of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family; and concluded with entreaties that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. 63The principal purport of his letter was to inform them, that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting the militia.

64“It was greatly my wish that he should do so,” he added, “as soon as his marriage was fixed on. 65And 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. 66It 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. 67He has the promise of an ensigncy in General——’s regiment, now quartered in the north. 68It is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. 69He promises fairly; and I hope among different people, where they may each have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. 70I 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. 71And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin a list, according to his information? 72He has given in all his debts; I hope at least he has not deceived us. 73Haggerston has our directions, and all will be completed in a week. 74They 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. 75She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and her mother.—Yours, etc.

76“E. Gardiner.”

77Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham’s removal from the ——shire, as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. 78But Mrs. Bennet was not so well pleased with it. 79Lydia’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 everybody, and had so many favourites.

80“She is so fond of Mrs. Forster,” said she, “it will be quite shocking to send her away! 81And there are several of the young men, too, that she likes very much. 82The officers may not be so pleasant in General——’s regiment.”

83His 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. 84But Jane and Elizabeth, who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister’s feelings and consequence, that she should be noticed on her 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. 85And their mother had the satisfaction of knowing, that she should be able to show her married daughter in the neighbourhood, before she was banished to the north. 86When 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. 87Elizabeth 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.