Chapter 50

by Jane Austen

　　Mr. Bennet had very often wished before this period of his lifethat, instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by anannual sum for the better provision of his children, and of hiswife, if she survived him. He now wished it more than ever.Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have beenindebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit couldnow be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on oneof the most worthless young men in Great Britain to be herhusband might then have rested in its proper place.He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage toanyone should be forwarded at the sole expense of hisbrother-in-law, and he was determined, if possible, to find outthe extent of his assistance, and to discharge the obligation assoon as he could.When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to beperfectly useless, for, of course, they were to have a son. Theson was to join in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should beof age, and the widow and younger children would by thatmeans be provided for. Five daughters successively entered theworld, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs. Bennet, for manyyears after Lydia's birth, had been certain that he would. Thisevent had at last been despaired of, but it was then too late to besaving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and herhusband's love of independence had alone prevented theirexceeding their income.Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs.Bennet and the children. But in what proportions it should bedivided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents.This was one point, with regard to Lydia, at least, which wasnow to be settled, and Mr. Bennet could have no hesitation inacceding to the proposal before him. In terms of gratefulacknowledgment for the kindness of his brother, thoughexpressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfectapprobation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil theengagements that had been made for him. He had never beforesupposed that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry hisdaughter, it would be done with so little inconvenience tohimself as by the present arrangement. He would scarcely beten pounds a year the loser by the hundred that was to be paidthem; for, what with her board and pocket allowance, and thecontinual presents in money which passed to her through hermother's hands, Lydia's expenses had been very little withinthat sum.That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side,too, was another very welcome surprise; for his wish at presentwas to have as little trouble in the business as possible. Whenthe first transports of rage which had produced his activity inseeking her were over, he naturally returned to all his formerindolence. His letter was soon dispatched; for, though dilatoryin undertaking business, he was quick in its execution. Hebegged to know further particulars of what he was indebted tohis brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any messageto her.The good news spread quickly through the house, and withproportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was bornein the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure, it would havebeen more for the advantage of conversation had Miss LydiaBennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative,been secluded from the world, in some distant farmhouse. Butthere was much to be talked of in marrying her; and thegood-natured wishes for her well-doing which had proceededbefore from all the spiteful old ladies in Meryton lost but a littleof their spirit in this change of circumstances, because with suchan husband her misery was considered certain.It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been downstairs; but onthis happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table,and in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave adamp to her triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which hadbeen the first object of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, wasnow on the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and herwords ran wholly on those attendants of elegant nuptials, finemuslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily searchingthrough the neighbourhood for a proper situation for herdaughter, and, without knowing of considering what theirincome might be, rejected many as deficient in size andimportance."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 tenmiles from me; and as for Pulvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful."Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption whilethe servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he saidto her: "Mrs. Bennet, before you take any or all of these housesfor your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding.Into one house in this neighbourhood they shall never haveadmittance. I will not encourage the impudence of either, byreceiving them at Longbourn."A long dispute followed this declaration; but Mr. Bennet wasfirm. It soon led to another; and Mrs. Bennet found, withamazement and horror, that her husband would not advance aguinea to buy clothes for his daughter. He protested that sheshould receive from him no mark of affection whatever on theoccasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That hisanger could be carried to such a point of inconceivableresentment as to refuse his daughter a privilege without whichher marriage would scarcely seem valid, exceeded all she couldbelieve possible. She was more alive to the disgrace which herwant of new clothes must reflect on her daughter's nuptials, thanto any sense of shame at her eloping and living with Wickham afortnight before they took place.Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from thedistress of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquaintedwith their fears for her sister; for since her marriage wouldso shortly give the proper termination to the elopement, theymight hope to conceal its unfavourable beginning from all thosewho 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 moreconfidently depended; but, at the same time, there was no onewhose knowledge of a sister's frailty would have mortified herso much-- not, however, from any fear of disadvantage from itindividually to herself, for, at any rate, there seemed a gulfimpassable between them. Had Lydia's marriage beenconcluded on the most honourable terms, it was not to besupposed that Mr. Darcy would connect himself with a familywhere, to every other objection, would now be added analliance and relationship of the nearest kind with a man whomhe so justly scorned.>From such a connection she could not wonder that he wouldshrink. The wish of procuring her regard, which she hadassured herself of his feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rationalexpectation survive such a blow as this. She was humbled, shewas grieved; she repented, though she hardly knew of what.She became jealous of his esteem, when she could no longerhope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him, whenthere seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She wasconvinced that she could have been happy with him, when itwas no longer likely they should meet.What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he knowthat the proposals which she had proudly spurned only fourmonths ago, would now have been most gladly and gratefullyreceived! He was as generous, she doubted not, as the mostgenerous of his sex; but while he was mortal, there must be atriumph.She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the manwho, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. Hisunderstanding and temper, though unlike her own, would haveanswered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been tothe advantage of both: by her ease and liveliness, his mind mighthave been softened, his manners improved; and from hisjudgement, information, and knowledge of the world, she musthave received benefit of greater importance.But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiringmultitude what connubial felicity really was. An union of adifferent 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 tolerableindependence, she could not imagine. But how little ofpermanent happiness could belong to a couple who were onlybrought together because their passions were stronger than theirvirtue, she could easily conjecture.Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet'sacknowledgments he briefly replied, with assurance of hiseagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family; andconcluded with entreaties that the subject might never bementioned to him again. The principal purport of his letter wasto inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting themilitia."It was greatly my wish that he should do so," he added, "assoon as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agreewith me, in considering the removal from that corps as highlyadvisable, both on his account and my niece's. It is Mr.Wickham's intention to go into the regulars; and among hisformer friends, there are still some who are able and willing toassist him in the army. He has the promise of an ensigncy inGeneral ----'s regiment, now quartered in the North. It is anadvantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. Hepromises fairly; and I hope among different people, where theymay each have a character to preserve, they will both be moreprudent. I have written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of ourpresent arrangements, and to request that he will satisfy thevarious creditors of Mr. Wickham in and near Brighton, withassurances of speedy payment, for which I have pledged myself.And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying similarassurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin alist according to his information? He has given in all his debts; Ihope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has ourdirections, and all will be completed in a week. They will thenjoin his regiment, unless they are first invited to Longbourn; andI understand from Mrs. Gardiner, that my niece is very desirousof seeing you all before she leaves the South. She is well, andbegs to be dutifully remembered to you and your mother.--Yours, etc.,"E. Gardiner."Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages ofWickham's removal from the ----shire as clearly as Mr.Gardiner could do. But Mrs. Bennet was not so well pleasedwith it. Lydia's being settled in the North, just when she hadexpected most pleasure and pride in her company, for she hadby no means given up her plan of their residing in Hertfordshire,was a severe disappointment; and, besides, it was such a pitythat Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she wasacquainted with everybody, and had so many favourites."She is so fond of Mrs. Forster, "said she, "it will be quiteshocking to send her away! And there are several of the youngmen, too, that she likes very much. The officers may not be sopleasant in General ----'s regiment."His daughter's request, for such it might be considered, of beingadmitted 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 andconsequence, that she should be noticed on her marriage by herparents, urged him so earnestly yet so rationally and so mildly,to receive her and her husband at Longbourn, as soon as theywere married, that he was prevailed on to think as they thought,and act as they wished. And their mother had the satisfactionof knowing that she would be able to show her marrieddaughter in the neighbourhood before she was banished to theNorth. When Mr. Bennet wrote again to his brother, therefore,he sent his permission for them to come; and it was settled, thatas soon as the ceremony was over, they should proceed toLongbourn. Elizabeth was surprised, however, that Wickhamshould consent to such a scheme, and had she consulted onlyher own inclination, any meeting with him would have been thelast object of her wishes.