Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his life that,
instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum for the
better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He
now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia
need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit
could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of
the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband might then
have rested in its proper place.🔗
He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone
should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law, and he was
determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance, and to
discharge the obligation as soon as he could.🔗
When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly
useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. The son was to join in
cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow and
younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters
successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs.
Bennet, for many years after Lydia’s birth, had been certain that he
would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late
to be saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her husband’s love
of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their income.🔗
Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet and
the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst the
latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point, with
regard to Lydia, at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr. Bennet
could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him. In terms
of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, though
expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect
approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the
engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed that,
could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would be done with
so little inconvenience to himself as by the present arrangement. He would
scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser by the hundred that was to be paid
them; for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and the continual
presents in money which passed to her through her mother’s hands, Lydia’s
expenses had been very little within that sum.🔗
That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was
another very welcome surprise; for his wish at present was to have as
little trouble in the business as possible. When the first transports of
rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were over, he
naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter was soon
dispatched; for, though dilatory in undertaking business, he was quick in
its execution. He begged to know further particulars of what he was
indebted to his brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any message
to her.🔗
The good news spread quickly through the house, and with proportionate
speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent
philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of
conversation had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest
alternative, been secluded from the world, in some distant farmhouse. But
there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and the good-natured
wishes for her well-doing which had proceeded before from all the spiteful
old ladies in Meryton lost but a little of their spirit in this change of
circumstances, because with such an husband her misery was considered
certain.🔗
It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been downstairs; but on this
happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and in spirits
oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her triumph. The
marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object of her wishes
since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of accomplishment, and her
thoughts and her words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials,
fine muslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily searching
through the neighbourhood for a proper situation for her daughter, and,
without knowing or considering what their income might be, rejected many
as deficient in size and importance.🔗
“Haye Park might do,” said she, “if the Gouldings could quit it—or
the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth is
too far off! I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and as for
Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful.”🔗
Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the servants
remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her: “Mrs. Bennet,
before you take any or all of these houses for your son and daughter, let
us come to a right understanding. Into one house in this
neighbourhood they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage the
impudence of either, by receiving them at Longbourn.”🔗
A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet was firm. It soon
led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, with amazement and horror, that her
husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his daughter. He
protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever
on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his anger
could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment as to refuse
his daughter a privilege without which her marriage would scarcely seem
valid, exceeded all she could believe possible. She was more alive to the
disgrace which her want of new clothes must reflect on her daughter’s
nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and living with
Wickham a fortnight before they took place.🔗
Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress of
the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears for her
sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper
termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable
beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.🔗
She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There were few
people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended; but, at
the same time, there was no one whose knowledge of a sister’s frailty
would have mortified her so much—not, however, from any fear of
disadvantage from it individually to herself, for, at any rate, there
seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia’s marriage been concluded
on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy
would connect himself with a family where, to every other objection, would
now be added an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind with a man
whom he so justly scorned.🔗
From such a connection she could not wonder that he would shrink. The wish
of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his feeling in
Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such a blow as this.
She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of
what. She became jealous 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 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.🔗
“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 her 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
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.🔗