intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer
likely they should meet.
What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the proposals which she had
proudly spurned only four months ago, would now have been most gladly and gratefully
received! He was as generous, she doubted not, as the most generous of his sex; but while he was
mortal, there must be a triumph.
She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents,
would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have
answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her
ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his
judgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater
importance.
But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity
really was. An union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the other, was
soon to be formed in their family.
How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence, she could not
imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought
together because their passions were stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.
* * * * *
Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet's acknowledgments he briefly
replied, with assurance of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family; and
concluded with entreaties that the subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal
purport of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting the militia.
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"It was greatly my wish that he should do so," he added, "as soon as his marriage was fixed on.
And I think you will agree with me, in considering the removal from that corps as highly
advisable, both on his account and my niece's. It is Mr. Wickham's intention to go into the
regulars; and among his former friends, there are still some who are able and willing to assist
him in the army. He has the promise of an ensigncy in General ——'s regiment, now quartered in
the North. It is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He promises fairly;
and I hope among different people, where they may each have a character to preserve, they will
both be more prudent. I have written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present
arrangements, and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham in and
near Brighton, with assurances of speedy payment, for which I have pledged myself. And will
you give yourself the trouble of carrying similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom
I shall subjoin a list according to his information? He has given in all his debts; I hope at least he
has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions, and all will be completed in a week. They
will then join his regiment, unless they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from
Mrs. Gardiner, that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all before she leaves the South. She
is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to you and your mother.—Yours, etc.,
"E. GARDINER."
Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham's removal from the ——shire
as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet was not so well pleased with it. Lydia's
being settled in the North, just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company,
for she had by no means given up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire, was a severe
disappointment; and, besides, it was such a pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment
where she was acquainted with everybody, and had so many favourites.
"She is so fond of Mrs. Forster," said she, "it will be quite shocking to send her away! And there
are several of the young men, too, that she likes very much. The officers may not be so pleasant
in General——'s regiment."
His daughter's request, for such it might be considered, of being admitted into her family again
before she set off for the North, received at first an absolute negative. But Jane and Elizabeth,
who agreed in wishing, for the sake of their sister's feelings and consequence, that she should be
noticed on her marriage by her parents, urged him so earnestly yet so rationally and so mildly, to
receive her and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as they were married, that he was prevailed
on to think as they thought, and act as they wished. And their mother had the satisfaction of
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knowing that she would be able to show her married daughter in the neighbourhood before she
was banished to the North. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore, he sent his
permission for them to come; and it was settled, that as soon as the ceremony was over, they
should proceed to Longbourn. Elizabeth was surprised, however, that Wickham should consent
to such a scheme, and had she consulted only her own inclination, any meeting with him would
have been the last object of her wishes.
Chapter 51
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. Elizabeth 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