may gain some news of them; and till we know that they are not married,

and have no design of marrying, do not let us give the matter over as

lost. As soon as I get to town, I shall go to my brother, and make him

come home with me to Gracechurch Street, and then we may consult

together as to what is to be done.”
“Oh, my dear brother,” replied Mrs. Bennet, “that is exactly what I

could most wish for. And now do, when you get to town, find them out,

wherever they may be; and if they are not married already, make them

marry. And as for wedding clothes, do not let them wait for that,{353} but

tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them,

after they are married. And, above all things, keep Mr. Bennet from

fighting. Tell him what a dreadful state I am in—that I am frightened

out of my wits; and have such tremblings, such flutterings all over me,

such spasms in my side, and pains in my head, and such beatings at my

heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear

Lydia not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me,

for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how

kind you are! I know you will contrive it all.”
But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours

in the cause, could not avoid recommending moderation to her, as well in

her hopes as her fears; and after talking with her in this manner till

dinner was on table, they left her to vent all her feelings on the

housekeeper, who attended in the absence of her daughters.
Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real

occasion for such a seclusion from the family, they did not attempt to

oppose it; for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her

tongue before the servants, while they waited at table, and judged it

better that one only of the household, and the one whom they could

most trust, should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the

subject.