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father then went to the library to write, and the girls walked

into the breakfast-room.

'And they are really to be married!' cried Elizabeth,

as soon as they were by themselves. 'How strange this

is! and for _this_ we are to be thankful. That they

should marry, small as is their chance of happiness, and

wretched as is his character, we are forced to rejoice!

Oh, Lydia!'

'I comfort myself with thinking,' replied Jane, 'that he

certainly would not marry Lydia if he had not a real regard

for her. Though our kind uncle has done something towards

clearing him, I cannot believe that ten thousand pounds, or

anything like it, has been advanced. He has children of his

own, and may have more. How could he spare half ten

thousand pounds?'

'If we are ever able to learn what Wickham's debts have

been,' said Elizabeth, 'and how much is settled on his side on

our sister, we shall exactly know what Mr. Gardiner has done

for them, because Wickham has not sixpence of his own.

The kindness of my uncle and aunt can never be requited.

Their taking her home, and affording her their personal

protection and countenance, is such a sacrifice to her ad-

vantage as years of gratitude cannot enough acknowledge.

By this time she is actually with them! If such goodness

does not make her miserable now, she will never deserve

to be happy! What a meeting for her, when she first sees

my aunt!'

'We must endeavour to forget all that has passed on either

side,' said Jane: 'I hope and trust they will yet be happy.

His consenting to marry her is a proof, I will believe, that he

is come to a right way of thinking. Their mutual affection

will steady them; and I flatter myself they will settle so

quietly, and live in so rational a manner, as may in time

make their past imprudence forgotten.'

'Their conduct has been such,' replied Elizabeth, 'as

neither you, nor I, nor anybody, can ever forget. It is use-

less to talk of it.'

It now occurred to the girls that their mother was in all

likelihood perfectly ignorant of what had happened. They

went to the library, therefore, and asked their father whether

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