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short time I shall have a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham!

How well it sounds. And she was only sixteen last June.

My dear Jane, I am in such a flutter, that I am sure I can't

write; so I will dictate, and you write for me. We will

settle with your father about the money afterwards; but

the things should be ordered immediately.'

She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico,

muslin, and cambric, and would shortly have dictated some

very plentiful orders, had not Jane, though with some dif-

ficulty, persuaded her to wait till her father was at leisure

to be consulted. One day's delay, she observed, would be

of small importance; and her mother was too happy to be

quite so obstinate as usual. Other schemes, too, came into

her head.

'I will go to Meryton,' said she, 'as soon as I am dressed,

and tell the good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I

come back, I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty,

run down and order the carriage. An airing would do me a

great deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do anything for

you in Meryton? Oh! here comes Hill. My dear Hill, have

you heard the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be

married; and you shall all have a bowl of punch to make

merry at her wedding.'

Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth

received her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick

of this folly, took refuge in her own room, that she might

think with freedom. Poor Lydia's situation must, at best,

be bad enough; but that it was no worse, she had need to be

thankful. She felt it so; and though, in looking forward,

neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity could be

justly expected for her sister, in looking back to what they

had feared, only two hours ago, she felt all the advantages

of what they had gained.

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