{{prxprp265.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 265 ||

her congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly,

took refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom.

Poor Lydia's situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that

it was no worse, she had need to be thankful. She felt it so;

and though, in looking forward, neither rational happiness nor

worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister, in

looking back to what they had feared, only two hours ago, she

felt all the advantages of what they had gained.

Chapter L

Mr. Bennet had very often wished, before this period of his life,

that, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an

annual sum, for the better provision of his children, and of his

wife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever.

Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have been

indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now

be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of

the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband

might then have rested in its proper place.

He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage

to any one should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother '

in-law, and he was determined, if possible, to find out the extent

of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.

When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be

perfectly useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. This

son was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be

of age, and the widow and younger children would by that

means be provided for. Five daughters successively entered the

world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for many

years after Lydia's birth, had been certain that he would. This

event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to be

saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her husband's

love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding

their income.

Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on

 [[265]]