“Oh!certainly,”said Elizabeth,though burning with curiosity;“we will ask you no questions.”

“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!”

Jane's delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall;Elizabeth was glad of it;―till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any satisfaction,she had rather be without a confidante.

“If it was to be secret,”said Jane,“say not another word on the subject.You may depend upon my seeking no further.”

“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.