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Chapter LI

Their sister's wedding day arrived; and Jane and

Elizabeth felt for her probably more than she felt

for herself. The carriage was sent to meet them at

____, and they were to return in it by dinner-time. Their

arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets; and Jane

more especially, who gave Lydia the feelings which would

have attended herself had _she_ been the culprit, and was

wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure.

They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast-~

room to receive them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs.

Bennet, as the carriage drove up to the door; her husband

looked impenetrably grave; her daughters, alarmed, anxious,

uneasy.

Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was

thrown open, and she ran into the room. Her mother stepped

forwards, embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture;

gave her hand with an affectionate smile to Wickham, who

followed his lady, and wished them both joy, with an alacrity

which showed no doubt of their happiness.

Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then

turned, was not quite so cordial. His countenance rather

gained in austerity; and he scarcely opened his lips. The

easy assurance of the young couple, indeed, was enough to

provoke him. Elizabeth was disgusted, and even Miss Ben-

net was shocked. Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, un-

abashed, wild, noisy, and fearless. She turned from sister

to sister, demanding their congratulations; and when at

length they all sat down, looked eagerly round the room,

took notice of some little alteration in it, and observed, with

a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been there.

Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself; but

his manners were always so pleasing, that had his character

and his marriage been exactly what they ought, his smiles

and his easy address, while he claimed their relationship,

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