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though she did not credit above half of what was said, be-

lieved enough to make her former assurance of her sister's

ruin still more certain; and even Jane, who believed still

less of it, became almost hopeless, more especially as the

time was now come, when, if they had gone to Scotland,

which she had never before entirely despaired of, they must

in all probability have gained some news of them.

Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday his

wife received a letter from him: it told them that on his

arrival he had immediately found out his brother, and per-

suaded him to come to Gracechurch Street. That Mr.

Bennet had been to Epsom and Clapham, before his arrival,

but without gaining any satisfactory information; and that

he was now determined to inquire at all the principal hotels

in town, as Mr. Bennet thought it possible they might have

gone to one of them, on their first coming to London, be-

fore they procured lodgings. Mr. Gardiner himself did not

expect any success from this measure; but as his brother

was eager in it, he meant to assist him in pursuing it. He

added, that Mr. Bennet seemed wholly disinclined at present

to leave London, and promised to write again very soon.

There was also a postscript to this effect:--

'I have written to Colonel Forster to desire him to find

out, if possible, from some of the young man's intimates in

the regiment, whether Wickham has any relations or connec-

tions who would be likely to know in what part of the town

he has now concealed himself. If there were any one that

one could apply to, with a probability of gaining such a clue

as that, it might be of essential consequence. At present we

have nothing to guide us. Colonel Forster will, I daresay,

do everything in his power to satisfy us on this head. But,

on second thoughts, perhaps Lizzy could tell us what relations

he has now living better than any other person.'

Elizabeth was at no loss to understand from whence this

deference for her authority proceeded; but it was not in her

power to give any information of so satisfactory a nature

as the compliment deserved.

She had never heard of his having had any relations,

except a father and mother, both of whom had been dead

many years. It was possible, however, that some of his

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