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on paper his perfect approbation of all that was done, and

his willingness to fulfil the engagements that had been made

for him. He had never before supposed that, could Wick-

ham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would be

done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present

arrangement. He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the

loser, by the hundred that was to be paid them; for, what with

her board and pocket allowance, and the continual presents

in money which passed to her through her mother's hands,

Lydia's expenses had been very little within that sum.

That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his

side, too, was another very welcome surprise; for his chief

wish at present was to have as little trouble in the business

as possible. When the first transports of rage which had

produced his activity in seeking her were over, he naturally

returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon

despatched; for though dilatory in undertaking business, he

was quick in its execution. He begged to know further par-

ticulars of what he was indebted to his brother; but was

too angry with Lydia to send any message to her.

The good news quickly spread through the house; and

with proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It

was borne in the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure,

it would have been more for the advantage of conversation,

had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the hap-

piest alternative, been secluded from the world, in some dis-

tant farmhouse. But there was much to be talked of, in

marrying her; and the good-natured wishes for her well-~

doing, which had proceeded before from all the spiteful old

ladies in Meryton, lost but little of their spirit in this change

of circumstances, because with such a husband her misery

was considered certain.

It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been down-

stairs, but on this happy day she again took her seat at the

head of her table, and in spirits oppressively high. No senti-

ment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. The marriage

of a daughter, which had been the first object of her wishes

since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of accom-

plishment, and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on

those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new car-

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