cause of their summons, reading the two letters aloud,{344} and dwelling on

the postscript of the last with trembling energy. Though Lydia had never

been a favourite with them, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner could not but be

deeply affected. Not Lydia only, but all were concerned in it; and after

the first exclamations of surprise and horror, Mr. Gardiner readily

promised every assistance in his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no

less, thanked him with tears of gratitude; and all three being actuated

by one spirit, everything relating to their journey was speedily

settled. They were to be off as soon as possible. “But what is to be

done about Pemberley?” cried Mrs. Gardiner. “John told us Mr. Darcy was

here when you sent for us;—was it so?”
“Yes; and I told him we should not be able to keep our engagement.

That is all settled.”
“What is all settled?” repeated the other, as she ran into her room to

prepare. “And are they upon such terms as for her to disclose the real

truth? Oh, that I knew how it was!”
But wishes were vain; or, at best, could serve only to amuse her in the

hurry and confusion of the following hour. Had Elizabeth been at leisure

to be idle, she would have remained certain that all employment was

impossible to one so wretched as herself; but she had her share of

business as well as her aunt, and amongst the rest there were notes to

be written to all their friends at Lambton, with false excuses for their

sudden departure. An hour, however, saw the whole completed; and Mr.

Gardiner, meanwhile, having settled his account at the inn, nothing

remained to be done but to go; and Elizabeth, after all the misery of

the morning, found herself, in a shorter space of time than she could

have supposed, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn.{345}

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“The first pleasing earnest of their welcome.”


CHAPTER XLVII.


“I HAVE been thinking it over again, Elizabeth,” said her uncle, as they