按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
… Page 313…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 313
best； and that his character has been misunderstood。 Thoughtless
and indiscreet I can easily believe him； but this step （and let us
rejoice over it） marks nothing bad at heart。 His choice is
disinterested at least； for he must know my father can give her
nothing。 Our poor mother is sadly grieved。 My father bears it
better。 How thankful am I； that we never let them know what has
been said against him； we must forget it ourselves。 They were off
Saturday night about twelve； as is conjectured； but were not
missed till yesterday morning at eight。 The express was sent off
directly。 My dear Lizzy； they must have passed within ten miles of
us。 Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon。 Lydia
left a few lines for his wife； informing her of their intention。 I must
conclude； for I cannot be long from my poor mother。 I am afraid
you will not be able to make it out； but I hardly know what I have
written。’
Without allowing herself time for consideration； and scarcely
knowing what she felt； Elizabeth on finishing this letter； instantly
seized the other； and opening it with the utmost impatience； read
as follows： it had been written a day later than the conclusion of
the first。
‘By this time； my dearest sister； you have received my hurried
letter； I wish this may be more intelligible； but though not
confined for time； my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer
for being coherent。 Dearest Lizzy； I hardly know what I would
write； but I have bad news for you； and it cannot be delayed。
Imprudent as a marriage between Mr。 Wickham and our poor
Lydia would be； we are now anxious to be assured it has taken
place； for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to
Scotland。 Colonel Forster came yesterday； having left Brighton
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 314…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 314
the day before； not many hours after the express。 Though Lydia’s
short letter to Mrs。 F。 gave them to understand that they were
going to Gretna Green； something was dropped by Denny
expressing his belief that W。 never intended to go there； or to
marry Lydia at all； which was repeated to Colonel F。 who instantly
taking the alarm； set off from B。 intending to trace their route。 He
did trace them easily to Clapham； but no farther； for on entering
that place they removed into a hackney…coach and dismissed the
chaise that brought them from Epsom。 All that is known after this
is； that they were seen to continue the London road。 I know not
what to think。 After making every possible enquiry on that side
London； Colonel F。 came on into Hertfordshire； anxiously
renewing them at all the turnpikes； and at the inns in Barnet and
Hatfield； but without any success； no such people had been seen to
pass through。 With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn；
and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to
his heart。 I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs。 F。 but no one
can throw any blame on them。 Our distress； my dear Lizzy； is very
great。 My father and mother believe the worst； but I cannot think
so ill of him。 Many circumstances might make it more eligible for
them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first
plan； and even if he could form such a design against a young
woman of Lydia’s connections； which is not likely； can I suppose
her so lost to every thing？—Impossible。 I grieve to find； however；
that Colonel F。 is not disposed to depend upon their marriage； he
shook his head when I expressed my hopes； and said he feared W。
was not a man to be trusted。 My poor mother is really ill and keeps
her room。 Could she exert herself it would be better； but this is not
to be expected； and as to my father； I never in my life saw him so
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 315…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 315
affected。 Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their
attachment； but as it was a matter of confidence one cannot
wonder。 I am truly glad； dearest Lizzy； that you have been spared
something of these distressing scenes； but now as the first shock is
over； shall I own that I long for your return？ I am not so selfish；
however； as to press for it； if inconvenient。 Adieu。 I take up my pen
again to do； what I have just told you I would not； but
circumstances are such； that I cannot help earnestly begging you
all to come here； as soon as possible。 I know my dear uncle and
aunt so well； that I am not afraid of requesting it； though I have
still something more to ask of the former。 My father is going to
London with Colonel Forster instantly； to try to discover her。 What
he means to do； I am sure I know not； but his excessive distress
will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest
way； and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again to…
morrow evening。 In such an exigence my uncle’s advice and
assistance would be every thing in the world； he will immediately
comprehend what I must feel； and I rely upon his goodness。’
‘Oh！ where； where is my uncle？’ cried Elizabeth； darting from
her seat as she finished the letter； in eagerness to follow him；
without losing a moment of the time so precious； but as she
reached the door； it was opened by a servant； and Mr。 Darcy
appeared。 Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start；
and before he could recover himself enough to speak； she； in
whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia’s situation；
hastily exclaimed； ‘I beg your pardon； but I must leave you。 I must
find Mr。 Gardiner this moment； on business that cannot be
delayed； I have not an instant to lose。�