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'Yes,' thought Elizabeth; _'that_ would be a delightful

scheme, indeed, and completely do for us at once. Good

Heaven! Brighton and a whole campful of soldiers, to us,

who have been overset already by one poor regiment of

militia, and the monthly balls of Meryton!'

 

'Now I have got some news for you,' said Lydia, as they

sat down to table. 'What do you think? It is excellent

news, capital news, and about a certain person that we all

like.'

 

Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter

was told that he need not stay. Lydia laughed, and said,--

 

'Ay, that is just like your formality and discretion. You

thought the waiter must not hear, as if he cared! I daresay

he often hears worse things said than I am going to say. But

he is an ugly fellow! I am glad he is gone. I never saw

such a long chin in my life. Well, but now for my news: it

is about dear Wickham; too good for the waiter, is not it?

There is no danger of Wickham's marrying Mary King --

there's for you! She is gone down to her uncle at Liverpool;

gone to stay. Wickham is safe.'

 

'And Mary King is safe!' added Elizabeth; 'safe from a

connection imprudent as to fortune.'

 

'She is a great fool for going away, if she liked him.'

 

'But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side,'

said Jane.

 

'I am sure there is not on _his._ I will answer for it, he

never cared three straws about her. Who _could_ about such a

nasty little freckled thing?'

 

Elizabeth was shocked to think that, however incapable of

such coarseness of _expression_ herself, the coarseness of the

_sentiment_ was little other than her own breast had formerly

harboured and fancied liberal!

 

As soon as all had ate, and the elder ones paid, the carriage

was ordered; and, after some contrivance, the whole party,

with all their boxes, workbags, and parcels, and the unwel-

come addition of Kitty's and Lydia's purchases, were seated

in it.

 

'How nicely we are crammed in!' cried Lydia. 'I am glad

I brought my bonnet, if it is only for the fun of having

another band-box! Well, now let us be quite comfortable and

 

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