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match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural tri-

umph on knowing more than the rest of us, that in Lydia's last

letter she had prepared her for such a step. She had known,

it seems, of their being in love with each other many weeks.'

'But not before they went to Brighton?'

'No, I believe not.'

'And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill of Wickham

himself? Does he know his real character?'

'I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham

as he formerly did. He believed him to be imprudent and

extravagant; and since this sad affair has taken place, it is

said that he left Meryton greatly in debt: but I hope this may

be false.'

'Oh, Jane, had we been less secret, had we told what we

knew of him, this could not have happened!'

'Perhaps it would have been better,' replied her sister.

'But to expose the former faults of any person, without

knowing what their present feelings were, seemed un-

justifiable.'

'We acted with the best intentions.'

'Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's

note to his wife?'

'He brought it with him for us to see.'

Jane then took it from her pocket-book, and gave it to

Elizabeth. These were the contents:--

> 'My Dear Harriet -- You will laugh when you know where I am

> gone, and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow

> morning, as soon as I am missed. I am going to Gretna Green, and

> if you cannot guess with who, I shall think you a simpleton, for there

> is but one man in the world I love, and he is an angel. I should

> never be happy without him, so think it no harm to be off. You

> need not send them word at Longbourn of my going, if you do not

> like it, for it will make the surprise the greater when I write to

> them, and sign my name Lydia Wickham. What a good joke it will

> be! I can hardly write for laughing. Pray make my excuses to

> Pratt for not keeping my engagement and dancing with him to-night.

> Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all, and tell him

> I will dance with him at the next ball we meet with great pleasure.

> I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn; but I wish

> you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown

> before they are packed up. Good-bye. Give my love to Colonel

> Forster. I hope you will drink to our good journey. -- Your affec-

> tionate friend, Lydia Bennet.'

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