They travelled as expeditiously as possible, and, sleeping one night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinner time the next day.It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not have been wearied by long expectations.

“Yes,he went on Tuesday,as I wrote you word.”

“Not yet,”replied Jane.“But now that my dear uncle is come,I hope everything will be well.”

The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were standing on the steps of the house as they entered the paddock;and, when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise that lighted up their faces,and displayed itself over their whole bodies,in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing earnest of their welcome.

Elizabeth,as she affectionately embraced her,whilst tears filled the eyes of both,lost not a moment in asking whether anything had been heard of the fugitives.

“Not the slightest.I can remember no symptom of affection on either side; and had anything of the kind been perceptible,you must be aware that ours is not a family on which it could be thrown away.When first he entered the corps,she was ready enough to admire him;but so we all were.Every girl in or near Meryton was out of her senses about him for the first two months;but he never distinguished her by any particular attention;and,consequently, after a moderate period of extravagant and wild admiration,her fancy for him gave way,and others of the regiment,who treated her with more distinction,again became her favourites.”