{{prxprp271.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 271 ||

Chapter LI

Their sister's wedding day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt

for her, probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was

sent to meet them at, and they were to return in it, by dinner-

time. Their arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss Bennets; and

Jane more especially, who gave Lydia the feelings which would

have attended herself, had she been the culprit, and was wretched

in the thought of what her sister must endure.

They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast room,

to receive them. -- Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet, as the

carriage drove up to the door; her husband looked impenetrably

grave; her daughters, alarmed, anxious, uneasy.

Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown

open, and she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards,

embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand

with an affectionate smile to Wickham, who followed his lady,

and wished them both joy, with an alacrity which shewed no

doubt of their happiness.

Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned,

was not quite so cordial. -- His countenance rather gained in

austerity; and he scarcely opened his lips. The easy assurance of

the young couple, indeed, was enough to provoke him. Eliza'

beth was disgusted, and even Miss Bennet was shocked. Lydia

was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless.

She turned from sister to sister, demanding their congratulations,

and when at length they all sat down, looked eagerly round the

room, took notice of some little alteration in it, and observed,

with a laugh, that it was a great while since she had been there.

Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself, but his

manners were always so pleasing, that had his character and his

marriage been exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy

address, while he claimed their relationship, would have delighted

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