however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu! I take up my pen

again to do, what I have just told you I would not; but circumstances

are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as

soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well, that I am not

afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of

the former. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly,

to try to discover her. What he means to do, I am sure I know not; but

his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the

best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton

again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence my uncle’s advice and

assistance would be everything in the world; he will immediately

comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness.”
“Oh! where, where is my uncle?” cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat

as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, without losing a

moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door, it was

opened{338} by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and

impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover himself

enough to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia’s

situation, hastily exclaimed, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.

I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment on business that cannot be delayed;

I have not an instant to lose.”
“Good God! what is the matter?” cried he, with more feeling than

politeness; then recollecting himself, “I will not detain you a minute;

but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are

not well enough; you cannot go yourself.”
Elizabeth hesitated; but her knees trembled under her, and she felt how

little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back

the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless an

accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and