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described as arising on a first interview with its object； and even
before two words have been exchanged； nothing can be said in her
defence； except that she had given somewhat of a trial to the latter
method； in her partiality for Wickham； and that its ill…success
might perhaps authorise her to seek the other less interesting
mode of attachment。 Be that as it may； she saw him go with regret；
and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy must produce；
found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched
business。 Never； since reading Jane’s second letter； had she
entertained a hope of Wickham’s meaning to marry her。 No one
but Jane； she thought； could flatter herself with such an
expectation。 Surprise was the least of her feelings on this
developement。 While the contents of the first letter remained on
her mind； she was all surprise—all astonishment that Wickham
should marry a girl； whom it was impossible he could marry for
money； and how Lydia could ever have attached him； had
appeared incomprehensible。 But now it was all too natural。 For
such an attachment as this； she might have sufficient charms； and
though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in
an elopement； without the intention of marriage； she had no
difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her
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understanding would preserve her from falling an easy prey。
She had never perceived； while the regiment was in
Hertfordshire； that Lydia had any partiality for him； but she was
convinced that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach
herself to any body。 Sometimes one officer； sometimes another
had been her favourite； as their attentions raised them in her
opinion。 Her affections had been continually fluctuating； but never
without an object。 The mischief of neglect and mistaken
indulgence towards such a girl。—Oh！ how acutely did she now feel
it。
She was wild to be at home—to hear； to see； to be upon the
spot； to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly
upon her； in a family so deranged； a father absent； a mother
incapable of exertion； and requiring constant attendance； and
though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia；
her uncle’s interference seemed of the utmost importance； and till
he entered the room； the misery of her impatience was severe。 Mr。
and Mrs。 Gardiner had hurried back in alarm； supposing； by the
servant’s account； that their niece was taken suddenly ill；—but
satisfying them instantly on that head； she eagerly communicated
the cause of their summons； reading the two letters aloud； and
dwelling on the postscript of the last； with trembling energy。—
Though Lydia had never been a favourite with them； Mr。 and Mrs。
Gardiner could not but be deeply affected。 Not Lydia only； but all
were concerned in it； and after the first exclamations of surprise
and horror； Mr。 Gardiner readily promised every assistance in his
power。—Elizabeth； though expecting no less； thanked him with
tears of gratitude； and all three being actuated by one spirit； every
thing relating to their journey was speedily settled。 They were to
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be off as soon as possible。 ‘But what is to be done about
Pemberley？’ cried Mrs。 Gardiner。 ‘John told us Mr。 Darcy was
here when you sent for us；—was it so？’
‘Yes； and I told him we should not be able to keep our
engagement。 That is all settled。’
‘That is all settled；’ repeated the other； as she ran into her room
to prepare。 ‘And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose
the real truth！ Oh； that I knew how it was！’
But wishes were vain； or at best could serve only to amuse her
in the hurry and confusion of the following hour。 Had Elizabeth
been at leisure to be idle； she would have remained certain that all
employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself； but she
had her share of business as well as her aunt； and amongst the rest
there were notes to be written to all their friends in Lambton； with
false excuses for their sudden departure。 An hour； however； saw
the whole completed； and Mr。 Gardiner meanwhile having settled
his account at the inn； nothing remained to be done but to go； and
Elizabeth； after all the misery of the morning； found herself； in a
shorter space of time than she could have supposed； seated in the
carriage； and on the road to Longbourn。
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CHAPTER V
have been thinking it over again； Elizabeth；’ said her
uncle； as they drove from the town； ‘and really； upon
‘Iserious consideration； I am much more inclined than I was
to judge as your eldest sister does of the matter。 It appears to me
so very unlikely； that any young man should form such a design
against a girl who is by no means unprotected or friendless； and
who was actually staying in his colonel’s family； that I am strongly
inclined to hope the best。 Could he expect that her friends would
not step forward？ Could he expect to be noticed again by the
regiment； after such an affront to Colonel Forster？ His temptation
is not adequate to the risk。’
‘Do you really think so？’ cried Elizabeth； brightening up for a
moment。
‘Upon my word；’ said Mrs。 Gardiner； ‘I begin to be of your
uncle’s opinion。 It is really too great a violation of decency；
honour； and interest； for him to be guilty of it。 I cannot think so
very ill of Wickham。 Can you； yourself； Lizzy； so wholly give him
up； as to believe him capable of it？’
‘Not perhaps of neglecting his own interest。 But of every other
neglect I can believe him capable。 If； indeed； it should be so！ But I
dare not hope it。 Why should they not go on to Scotland； if that
had been the case？’
‘In the first place；’ replied Mr。 Gardiner； ‘there is no absolute
proof that they are not gone to Scotland。’
‘Oh！ but their removing from the chaise into an hackney coach
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is such a presumption！ And； besides； no traces of them were to be
found on the Barnet road。’
‘Well； then—supposing them to be in London。 They may be
there； though for the purpose of concealment； for no more
exceptionable purpose。 It is not likely that money should be very
abundant on either side； and it might strike them that they could
be more economically； though less expeditiously； married in
London； than in Scotland。’
‘But why all this secrecy？ Why any fear of detection？ Why must
their marriage be private？ Oh！ no； no； this is not likely。 His most
particular friend； you see by Jane’s account； was persuaded of his
never intending to marry her。 Wickham will never marry a woman
without some money。 He cannot afford it。 And what claims has
Lydia； what attractions has she beyond youth； health； and good
humour； that could make him for her sake； forego every chance of
benefiting himself by marrying well？ As to what restraint the
apprehension of disgr