“In the first place,”replied Mr.Gardiner,“there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland.”

“But can you think that Lydia is so lost to everything but love of him as to consent to live with him on any terms other than marriage?”

“But does Lydia know nothing of this?can she be ignorant of what you and Jane seem so well to understand?”

“It does seem,and it is most shocking indeed,”replied Elizabeth, with tears in her eyes,“that a sister's sense of decency and virtue in such a point should admit of doubt. But, really, I know not what to say.Perhaps I am not doing her justice.But she is very young;she has never been taught to think on serious subjects;and for the last half-year,nay,for a twelvemonth―she has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. She has been