he would be married in his blue coat.
“Well, and so we breakfasted at ten as usual: I thought it would never

be over; for, by the bye, you are to understand that my uncle and aunt

were horrid unpleasant all the time I was with them. If you’ll believe

me, I did not once put my foot out of doors, though I was there a

fortnight. Not one party, or scheme, or anything! To be sure, London was

rather thin, but, however, the Little Theatre was open.{391}
“Well, and so, just as the carriage came to the door, my uncle was

called away upon business to that horrid man Mr. Stone. And then, you

know, when once they get together, there is no end of it. Well, I was so

frightened I did not know what to do, for my uncle was to give me away;

and if we were beyond the hour we could not be married all day. But,

luckily, he came back again in ten minutes’ time, and then we all set

out. However, I recollected afterwards, that if he had been prevented

going, the wedding need not be put off, for Mr. Darcy might have done as

well.”
“Mr. Darcy!” repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement.
“Oh, yes! he was to come there with Wickham, you know. But, gracious me!

I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised

them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? It was to be such a secret!”
“If it was to be a secret,” said Jane, “say not another word on the

subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further.”
“Oh, certainly,” said Elizabeth, though burning with curiosity; “we will

ask you no questions.”
“Thank you,” said Lydia; “for if you did, I should certainly tell you

all, and then Wickham would be so angry.”
On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced to put it out of her

power, by running away.
But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at least it

was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy had been at her

sister’s wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among people,