{{prxprp267.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 267 ||

on this happy day, she again took her seat at the head of her table,

and in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a

damp to her triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had

been the first object of her wishes, since Jane was sixteen, was now

on the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and her words

ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, fine muslins,

new carriages, and servants. She was busily searching through

the neighbourhood for a proper situation for her daughter, and,

without knowing or considering what their income might be,

rejected many as deficient in size and importance.

'HayoPark might do,' said she, 'if the Gouldings would quit

it, or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger;

but Ashworth is too far off! I could not bear to have her ten

miles from me; and as for Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadfuL'

Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption, while

the servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said

to her, 'Mrs. Bennet, before you take any, or all of these houses,

for your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding.

Into one house in this neighbourhood they shall never have

admittance. I will not encourage the imprudence of either, by

receiving them at Longbourn.'

A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet was

firm: it soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, with

amazement and horror, that her husband would not advance a

guinea to buy clothes for his daughter. He protested that she

should receive from him no mark of affection whatever, on the

occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his

anger could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resent-'

ment, as to refuse his daughter a privilege, without which her

marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all that she could

believe possible. She was more alive to the disgrace, which her

want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, than

to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham

a fortnight before they took place.

Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the

distress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted

with their fears for her sister; for since her marriage would so

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