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1[Illustration] Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in not finding a letter from Jane on their first arrival at
2Lambton; and this disappointment had been renewed on each of the mornings that had now been spent there; but on the
3third her repining was over, and her sister justified, by the receipt of two letters from her at once, on one of which
4was marked that it had been mis-sent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as Jane had written the direction
5remarkably ill. They had just been preparing to walk as the letters came in; and her uncle and aunt, leaving her to
6enjoy them in quiet, set off by themselves. The one mis-sent must be first attended to; it had been written five days
7ago. The beginning contained an account of all their little parties and engagements, with such news as the country
8afforded; but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in evident agitation, gave more important
9intelligence. It was to this effect:-- "Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most
10unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you--be assured that we are all well. What I have to say
11relates to poor Lydia. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to
12inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our
13surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both
14sides! But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I
15can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is
16disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father
17bears it better. How thankful am I, that we never let them know what has been said against him; we must forget it
18ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at
19eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster
20gives us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention. I must
21conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know
22what I have written." Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth, on
23finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows: it had
24been written a day later than the conclusion of the first. "By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my
25hurried letter; I wish this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I
26cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it
27cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be
28assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. Colonel Forster came
29yesterday, having left Brighton the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs. F.
30gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that
31W. never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the
32alarm, set off from B., intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no farther; for on
33entering that place, they removed into a hackney-coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that
34is known after this is, that they were seen to continue the London road. I know not what to think. After making every
35possible inquiry on that side of London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing them at all the
36turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success,--no such people had been seen to pass
37through. With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable
38to his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs. F.; but no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear
39Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of him. Many circumstances might
40make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and even if he could
41form such a design against a young woman of Lydia's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to
42everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage: he
43shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really
44ill, and keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better, but this is not to be expected; and as to my
45father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it
46was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared something of
47these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not so
48selfish, however, as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu! I take up my pen again to do, what I have just told you I
49would not; but circumstances are such, that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I
50know my dear uncle and aunt so well, that I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of
51the former. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do, I
52am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and
53Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence my uncle's advice and
54assistance would be everything in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his
55goodness." "Oh! where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in
56eagerness to follow him, without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door, it was opened by
57a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover
58himself enough to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed, "I beg
59your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment on business that cannot be delayed; I have not
60an instant to lose." "Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting
61himself, "I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are not
62well enough; you cannot go yourself." Elizabeth hesitated; but her knees trembled under her, and she felt how little
63would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in
64so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and mistress home instantly. On his
65quitting the room, she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for
66Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is
67there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill." "No, I
68thank you," she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well, I am
69only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn."
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