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ous of his esteem； when she could no longer hope to be benefited by it。 She wanted to hear of him； when there seemed the least chance of gaining 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 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 judgment； 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 assurances of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family； and concluded with intreaties 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。
‘‘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 a 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 her mother。 Your's； &c。
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 every body； 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 knowing that she should be able to shew 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。班纳特先生远在好久以前，就希望每年的进款不要全部花光，能够积蓄一部分，让儿女 往后不至于衣食匮乏；如果太太比他命长，衣食便也有了着落。拿目前来说，他这个希望比 以往来得更迫切。要是他在这方面早就安排好了，那么这次丽迪雅挽回面子名誉的事，自然 就不必要她舅舅为她花钱；也不必让舅舅去说服全英国最下流的一个青年给她确定夫妇的名 份。
这事情对任何人都没有好处，如今却得由他舅爷独自拿出钱来成其好事，这实在叫他太 过意不去；他决定要竭力打听出舅爷究竟帮了多大的忙，以便尽快报答这笔人情。
班纳特先生刚结婚的时候，完全不必省吃俭用，因为他们夫妇自然会生儿子，等到儿子 成了年，外人继承产权的这桩事就可以取消，寡妇孤女也就衣食无虑了。可是五个女儿接接 连连地出世，儿子还不知道在哪里；丽迪雅出世多少年以后，班纳特太太还一直以为会生儿 子。这个指望落了空，如今省吃俭用已经太迟了。班纳特太太不惯于节省，好在丈夫自有主 张，才算没有入不敷出。
当年老夫妇的婚约上规定了班纳特太太和子女们一共应享有五千磅遗产。至于子女们究 竟怎样分享，得由父母在遗嘱上解决，班纳特先生毫不犹豫地同意了摆在他面前的那个建 议。他回信给舅爷，多谢他一片好心。他的措辞极其简洁，只说他对一切既成事实都表示赞 同，而且舅爷所提出的各项条件，他都愿意照办。原来这次说服韦翰跟他女儿结婚一事，竟 安排得这样好，简直没有带给他什么麻烦，这实在是他所意料不到的。虽说他每年要付给他 们俩一百镑，可是事实上他每年还损失不了十镑，因为丽迪雅在家里也要吃用开销，外加她 母亲还要贴钱给她花，计算起来每年几乎也不下于一百镑。
还有一件可喜的意外，那就是办起这件事来，他自己简直可以不费什么力气，他目前最 希望麻烦越少越好。他开头也曾因为一时冲动，亲自去找女儿，如今他已经气平怒消，自然 又变得象往常一样懒散。他把那封回信立刻寄出去；虽然做事喜欢拖延，可是只要他肯动 手，倒也完成得很快。他在信上请他舅爷把一切代劳之处详详细细告诉他，可是说起丽迪 雅，实在使他太气恼，因此连问候也没有问候她一声。
好消息立刻在全家传开了，而且很快便传到邻舍们耳朵里去。四邻八舍对这件事都抱着 相当超然的态度。当然，如果丽迪雅·班纳特小姐亲自上这儿来了，或者说，如果她恰恰相 反，远隔尘嚣，住到一个偏僻的农村里去，那就可以给人家增加许多谈话的资料。不过她的 出嫁问题毕竟还是使人家议论纷纷。麦里屯那些�