{{prxprp241.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 241 ||

and dwelling on the postscript of the last with trembling energy,

though Lydia had never been a favourite with them. Mr. and

Mrs. Gardiner could not but be deeply afflicted. Not Lydia

only, but all were concerned in it; and after the first exclamations

of surprize and horror, Mr. Gardiner readily promised every

assistance in his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no less,

thanked him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated

by one spirit, every thing relating to their journey was speedily

settled. They were to be off as soon as possible. 'But what is

to be done about Pemberley'' cried Mrs. Gardiner. 'John told

us Mr. Darcy was here when you sent for us; -- was it so?'

'Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our

engagement. That is all settled.'

'What is all settled J ' repeated the other, as she ran into her room

to prepare. 'And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose

the real truth? Oh, that I knew how it was!'

But wishes were vain; or at best could serve only to amuse her

in the hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth

been at leisure to be idle, she would have remained certain that

all employment was impossible to one so wretched as herself; but

she had her share of business as well as her aunt, and amongst the

rest there were notes to be written to all their friends at Lambton,

with false excuses for their sudden departure. An hour, however,

saw the whole completed; and Mr. Gardiner mean while having

settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to be done but to

go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of the morning, found

herself, in a shorter space of time than she could have supposed,

seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.

 [[241]]