“And they are really to be married!”cried Elizabeth,as soon as they were by themselves.“How strange this is!And for this we are to be thankful.That they should marry,small as is their chance of happiness,and wretched as is his character,we are forced to rejoice.Oh,Lydia!”

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.

“May we take my uncle's letter to read to her?”

“For we must attribute this happy conclusion,”she added,“in a great measure to his kindness.We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to assist Mr.Wickham with money.”

“Their conduct has been such,”replied Elizabeth,“as neither you,nor I,nor anybody can ever forget.It is useless to talk of it.”

“Well,”cried her mother,“it is all very right; who should do it but her own uncle? If he had not had a family of his own, I and my children must have had all his money,you know;and it is the first time we have ever had anything from him, except a few presents.Well!I am so happy!In a short time I shall have a daughter married.Mrs.Wickham!How well it sounds!And she was only sixteen last June.My dear Jane,I am in such a flutter, that I am sure I can't write;so I will dictate,and you write for me. We will settle with your father about the money afterwards;but the things should be ordered immediately.”