heard the good news? Miss Lydia is going to be married; and you shall

all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding.”
Mrs. Hill began instantly to express her joy. Elizabeth received her

congratulations amongst the rest, and then, sick of this folly, took

refuge in her own room, that she might think with freedom. Poor Lydia’s

situation must, at best, be bad enough; but that it was no worse, she

had need to be thankful. She felt it so; and though, in looking forward,

neither rational happiness, nor worldly prosperity could be justly

expected for her sister, in looking back to what they had feared, only

two hours ago, she felt all the advantages of what they had gained.{377}

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“The spiteful old ladies.”


CHAPTER L.

MR. BENNET had very often wished, before this period of his life, that,

instead of spending his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum, for

the better provision of his children, and of his wife, if she survived

him. He now wished it more than ever. Had he done his duty in that

respect, Lydia need not have been indebted to her uncle for whatever of

honour or credit could now be purchased for her. The satisfaction of

prevailing on one of the most worthless young{378} men in Great Britain to

be her husband might then have rested in its proper place.
He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to anyone

should be forwarded at the sole expense of his brother-in-law; and he

was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance,

and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.
When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly

useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. This son was to join

in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow

and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters

successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs.