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'What is there of good to be expected?' said he, taking the

letter from his pocket; 'but perhaps you would like to read it.'

Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now

came up.

'Read it aloud,' said their father, 'for I hardly know myself

what it is about.'

> Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2.

>

> 'My Dear Brother -- At last I am able to send you some tidings

> of my niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope will give you

> satisfaction. Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate

> enough to find out in what part of London they were. The par-

> ticulars I reserve till we meet. It is enough to know they are dis-

> covered; I have seen them both--'

'Then it is as I always hoped,' cried Jane: 'they are mar-

ried!'

Elizabeth read on:

> 'I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find

> there was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to

> perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your

> side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is re-

> quired of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, her

> equal share of the five thousand pounds secured among your children

> after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, moreover, to enter

> into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred

> pounds per annum. These are conditions which, considering every-

> thing, I had no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought

> myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by express, that no

> time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You will easily

> comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham's circum-

> stances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be.

> The world has been deceived in that respect; and I am happy to

> say there will be some little money, even when all his debts are

> discharged, to settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune.

> If, as I conclude will be the case, you send me full powers to act in

> your name throughout the whole of this business, I will immediately

> give directions to Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement.

> There will not be the smallest occasion for your coming to town

> again; therefore stay quietly at Longbourn, and depend on my dili-

> gence and care. Send back your answer as soon as you can, and

> be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it best that my niece

> should be married from this house, of which I hope you will approve.

> She comes to us to-day. I shall write again as soon as anything

> more is determined on. Yours, etc.'

>

> Edw. Gardiner

'Is it possible?' cried Elizabeth, when she had finished.

'Can it be possible that he will marry her?'

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