{{prxprp237.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 237 ||

without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she

reached the door it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy

appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him

start, and before he could recover himself enough to speak, she,

in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation,

hastily exclaimed: 'I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.

I must find Mr. Gardiner, this moment, on business that cannot

be delayed; I have not an instant to lose'.

'Good God! what is the matter?' cried he, with more feeling

than politeness; then recollecting himself, 'I will not detain you

a minute; but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and

Mrs. Gardiner. You are not well enough; -- you cannot go

yourself'

Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she

felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them.

Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though

in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to

fetch his master and mistress home instantly.

On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support

herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for

Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness

and commiseration, 'Let me call your maid. Is there nothing

you could take, to give you present relief? -- A glass of wine; --

shall I get you one? -- You are very ill.'

'No, I thank you,' she replied, endeavouring to recover herself

'There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well, I am

only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received

from Longbourn.'

She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes

could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense,

could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe

her in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again. 'I

have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It

cannot be concealed from any one. My youngest sister has left

all her friends -- has eloped; -- has thrown herself into the power

of -- of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton.

You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money,

 [[237]]