of his sister, his friends, his house, his fruit, of everything but

himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of

him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been highly gratified by her niece’s

beginning the subject.{334}

Chapter XLVI.

ELIZABETH had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from

Jane on their first arrival at Lambton; and this disappointment had been

renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but on

the third her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the

receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which was marked that

it had been mis-sent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as

Jane had written the direction remarkably ill.
They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and her

uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet, set off by

themselves. The one mis-sent must be first attended to; it had been

written five days ago. The beginning contained an account of all their

little parties and engagements, with such news as the country afforded;

but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident

agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect:—
“Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a

most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you—be

assured that we are all{335} well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia.

An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed,

from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland

with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our

surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am

very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing

to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood.

Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and