{{prxprp264.jpg}} || 264 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

directly. Lizzy, my dear, run down to your father, and ask him

how much he will give her. Stay, stay, I will go myself. Ring

the bell, Kitty, for Hill. I will put on my things in a moment.

My dear, dear Lydia! -- How merry we shall be together when

we meet!'

Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the

violence of these transports, by leading her thoughts to the obliga^

tions which Mr. Gardiner's behaviour laid them all under.

'For we must attribute this happy conclusion,' she added, 'in

a great measure to his kindness. We are persuaded that he has

pledged himself to assist Mr. Wickham with money.'

'Well,' cried her mother, 'it is all very right; who should do it

but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and

my children must have had all his money you know; and it is

the first time we have ever had any thing from him, except a few

presents. Well! I am so happy. In a short time I shall have

a daughter married. Mrs. Wickham! How well it sounds.

And she was only sixteen last June. My dear Jane, I am in such

a flutter, that I am sure I can't write; so I will dictate, and you

write for me. We will settle with your father about the money

afterwards; but the things should be ordered immediately.'

She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico, muslin,

and cambric, and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful

orders, had not Jane, though with some difficulty, persuaded her

to wait till her father was at leisure to be consulted. One day's

delay, she observed, would be of small importance; and her

mother was too happy to be quite so obstinate as usual. Other

schemes too came into her head.

'I will go to Meryton,' said she, 'as soon as I am dressed, and

tell the good, good news to my sister Philips. And as I come

back, I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long. Kitty, run

down and order the carriage. An airing would do me a great

deal of good, I am sure. Girls, can I do any thing for you in

Meryton? Oh! here comes Hill. My dear Hill, have you heard

the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be married; and you

shall all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding.'

Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received

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