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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 afflicted. 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 grati-

tude; and all three being actuated by one spirit, everything

relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were

to 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.'

'What 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 at Lambton, with false ex-

cuses 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 morn-

ing, 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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