promote the welfare of any of his family; and concluded with entreaties

that the subject might never be mentioned to him again.{383} 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.—Yours, etc.


“E. Gardiner.”

Mr. Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages {384}of Wickham’s

removal from the ——shire, as clearly as Mr. Gardiner could do. But