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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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