{{prxprp328.jpg}} || 328 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

Mr. Darcy had voluntarily done for Lydia. He heard her with

astonishment.

'This is an evening of wonders, indeed! -- And so, Darcy did

every tiling; made up the match, gave the money, paid the

fellow's debts, and got him his commission! So much the

better. It will save me a world of trouble and economy. Had

it been your uncle's doing, I must and would have paid him; but

these violent young lovers carry every thing their own way. I shall

offer to pay him to-morrow; he will rant and storm, about his

love for you, and there will be an end of the matter.'

He then recollected her embarrassment a few days before, on his

reading Mr. Collins's letter; and after laughing at her some time,

allowed her at last to go -- saying, as she quitted the room, 'If any

young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite

at leisure.'

Elizabeth's mind was now relieved from a very heavy weight;

and, after half an hour's quiet reflection in her own room, she

was able to join the others with tolerable composure. Every thing

was too recent for gaiety, but the evening passed tranquilly away;

there was no longer any thing material to be dreaded, and the

comfort of ease and familiarity would come in time.

When her mother went up to her dressing-room at night she

followed her, and made the important communication. Its

effect was most extraordinary; for on first hearing it, Mrs. Bennet

sat quite still, and unable to utter a syllable. Nor was it under

many, many minutes, that she could comprehend what she heard;

though not in general backward to credit what was for the advan"

tage of her family, or that came in the shape of a lover to any of

them. She began at length to recover, to fidget about in her

chair, get up, sit down again, wonder, and bless herself.

'Good gracious! Lord bless me! only think! dear me! Mr.

Darcy! Who would have thought it? And is it really true?

Oh, my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be!

What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have!

Jane's is nothing to it -- nothing at all. I am so pleased -- so happy!

Such a charming man! -- so handsome! so tall! -- Oh, my dear

Lizzy! pray apologize for my having disliked him so much

 [[328]]