{{prxprp240.jpg}} || 240 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

its ill success might, perhaps, authorize her to seek the other less

interesting mode of attachment. Be that as it may, she saw him

go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia's infamy

must produce, found additional anguish as she reflected on that

wretched business. Never, since reading Jane's second letter,

had she entertained a hope of Wickham's meaning to marry her.

No one but Jane, she thought, could flatter herself with such an

expectation. Surprize was the least of her feelings on this develop'

ment. While the contents of the first letter remained on her

mind, she was all surprize -- all astonishment, that Wickham

should marry a girl, whom it was impossible he could marry for

money; and how Lydia could ever have attached him had

appeared incomprehensible. But now it was all too natural.

For such an attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms;

and though she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging

in an elopement, without the intention of marriage, she had no

difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding

would preserve her from falling an easy prey.

She had never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertford'

shire, that Lydia had any partiality for him; but she was convinced

that Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to

any body. Sometimes one officer, sometimes another, had been

her favourite, as their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her

affections had been continually fluctuating, but never without an

object. The mischief of neglect and mistaken indulgence

towards such a girl -- Oh! how acutely did she now feel it.

She was wild to be at home -- to hear, to see, to be upon the

spot to share with Jane in the cares that must now fall wholly

upon her, in a family so deranged; a father absent, a mother

incapable of exertion, and requiring constant attendance; and

though almost persuaded that nothing could be done for Lydia,

her uncle's interference seemed of the utmost importance, and till

he entered the room the misery of her impatience was severe.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner had hurried back in alarm, supposing,

by the servant's account, that their niece was taken suddenly ill; --

but satisfying them instantly on that head, she eagerly communis

cated the cause of their summons, reading die two letters aloud,

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