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 should 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.{385}

[Image unavailable.]


“With an affectionate smile.”


CHAPTER LI.

THEIR sister’s wedding-day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt for her

probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was sent to meet