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he would not wish them to make it known to her. He was

writing, and, without raising his head, coolly replied,--

'Just as you please.'

'May we take my uncle's letter to read to her?'

'Take whatever you like, and get away.'

Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table, and they

went upstairs together. Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs.

Bennet: one communication would, therefore, do for all.

After a slight preparation for good news, the letter was read

aloud. Mrs. Bennet could hardly contain herself. As soon

as Jane had read Mr. Gardiner's hope of Lydia's being soon

married, her joy burst forth, and every following sentence

added to its exuberance. She was now in an irritation as

violent from delight as she had ever been fidgety from alarm

and vexation. To know that her daughter would be married

was enough. She was disturbed by no fear for her felicity,

nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct.

'My dear, dear Lydia!' she cried: 'this is delightful in-

deed! She will be married! I shall see her again! She

will be married at sixteen! My good, kind brother! I

knew how it would be -- I knew he would manage everything.

How I long to see her! and to see dear Wickham too! But

the clothes, the wedding clothes! I will write to my sister

Gardiner about them directly. Lizzy, my dear, run down to

your father, and ask him how much he will give her. Stay,

stay, I will go myself. Ring the bell, Kitty, for Hill. I will

put on my things in a moment. My dear, dear Lydia! How

merry we shall be together when we meet!'

Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to

the violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts to

the obligations which Mr. Gardiner's behaviour laid them

all under.

'For we must attribute this happy conclusion,' she added,

'in a great measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that

he has pledged himself to assist Mr. Wickham with money.'

'Well,' cried her mother, 'it is all very right; who should

do it but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his

own, I and my children must have had all his money, you

know; and it is the first time we have ever had anything from

him except a few presents. Well! I am so happy. In a

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