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Chapter XLVI · Pride and Prejudice | Audiobook

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  Speaker 1: Chapter 46 Elizabeth had been a good deal disappointed in
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  Speaker 1: not finding a letter from Jane on their first arrival
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  Speaker 1: at Lambton, and this disappointment had been renewed on each
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  Speaker 1: of the mornings that had now been spent there. But
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  Speaker 1: on the third, her repining was over, and her sister justified,
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  Speaker 1: by the receipt of two letters from her at once,
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  Speaker 1: on one of which was marked that it had been
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  Speaker 1: missent elsewhere. Elizabeth was not surprised at it, as Jane
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  Speaker 1: had written the direction remarkably ill. They had just been
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  Speaker 1: preparing to walk as the letters came in, and her
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  Speaker 1: uncle and aunt, leaving her to enjoy them in quiet,
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  Speaker 1: set off by themselves. The one missent must be first
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  Speaker 1: attended to. It had been written five days ago. The
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  Speaker 1: beginning contained an account of all their little parties and engagements,
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  Speaker 1: with such news as the country afforded. But the latter half,
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  Speaker 1: which was dated a day later, and written in evident agitation,
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  Speaker 1: gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect. Since
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  Speaker 1: writing the above, dearest Lizzie, something has occurred of a
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  Speaker 1: most unexpected and serious nature. But I am afraid of
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  Speaker 1: alarming you. Be assured that we are all well. What
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  Speaker 1: I have to say relates to poor Lydia. An express
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  Speaker 1: came at twelve last night, just as we were all
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  Speaker 1: gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that
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  Speaker 1: she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers,
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  Speaker 1: to own the truth, with Wickham. Imagine our surprise. To Kitty, however,
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  Speaker 1: it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very,
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  Speaker 1: very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides. But
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  Speaker 1: I am willing to hope the best, and that his
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  Speaker 1: character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet, I can easily
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  Speaker 1: believe him. But this step, and let us rejoice over it,
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  Speaker 1: marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least,
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  Speaker 1: for he must know my father can give her nothing.
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  Speaker 1: Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better.
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  Speaker 1: How thankful am I that we never let them know
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  Speaker 1: what has been said against him. We must forget it ourselves.
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  Speaker 1: They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured,
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  Speaker 1: but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The
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  Speaker 1: express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzie, they must
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  Speaker 1: have passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives
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  Speaker 1: us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia left a
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  Speaker 1: few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention.
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  Speaker 1: I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my
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  Speaker 1: poor mother. I am afraid you will not be able
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  Speaker 1: to make it out, but I hardly know what I
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  Speaker 1: have written. Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely
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  Speaker 1: knowing what she felt, Elizabeth, on finishing this letter, instantly
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  Speaker 1: seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience,
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  Speaker 1: read as follows. It had been written a day later
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  Speaker 1: than the conclusion of the first. By this time, my
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  Speaker 1: dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter. I wish
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  Speaker 1: this may be more intelligible, but though not confined for time,
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  Speaker 1: my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for
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  Speaker 1: being coherent, dearest Lizzie. I hardly know what I would write,
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  Speaker 1: but I have bad news for you, and it cannot
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  Speaker 1: be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Mr Wickham and
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  Speaker 1: our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to
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  Speaker 1: be assured it has taken place, for there is but
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  Speaker 1: too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland.
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  Speaker 1: Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the day before,
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  Speaker 1: not many hours after the express. Though Lydia's short letter
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  Speaker 1: to Mrs F gave them to understand that they were
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  Speaker 1: going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny, expressing
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  Speaker 1: his belief that W never intended to go there, or
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  Speaker 1: to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F, who,
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  Speaker 1: instantly taking the alarm, set off from B, intending to
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  Speaker 1: trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham,
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  Speaker 1: but no farther, for on entering that place they removed
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  Speaker 1: into a hackney-coach and dismissed the chaise that brought them
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  Speaker 1: from Epsom. All that is known after this is that
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  Speaker 1: they were seen to continue the London road. I know
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  Speaker 1: not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on
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  Speaker 1: that side of London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire,
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  Speaker 1: anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes and at the
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  Speaker 1: inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success. No
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  Speaker 1: such people had been seen to pass through. With the
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  Speaker 1: kindest concern, he came on to Longbourn and broke his
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  Speaker 1: apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to his heart.
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  Speaker 1: I am sincerely grieved for him and Mrs F, but
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  Speaker 1: no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress,
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  Speaker 1: my dear Lizzie, is very great. My father and mother
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  Speaker 1: believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of him.
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  Speaker 1: Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to
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  Speaker 1: be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan.
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  Speaker 1: And even if he could form such a design against
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  Speaker 1: a young woman of Lydia's connections, which is not likely,
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  Speaker 1: can I suppose her so lost to everything? Impossible. I
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  Speaker 1: grieve to find, however, that Colonel F is not disposed
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  Speaker 1: to depend upon their marriage. He shook his head when
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  Speaker 1: I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W was
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  Speaker 1: not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is
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  Speaker 1: really ill and keeps her room. Could she exert herself?
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  Speaker 1: It would be better. But this is not to be expected.
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  Speaker 1: And as to my father, I never in my life
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  Speaker 1: saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having
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  Speaker 1: concealed their attachment. But as it was a matter of confidence,
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  Speaker 1: one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzie. that
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  Speaker 1: you have been spared something of these distressing scenes. But now,
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  Speaker 1: as the first shock is over, shall I own that
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  Speaker 1: I long for your return. I am not so selfish, however,
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  Speaker 1: as to press for it, if inconvenient. Adieu. I take
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  Speaker 1: up my pen again to do what I have just
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  Speaker 1: told you I would not. But circumstances are such that
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  Speaker 1: I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here
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  Speaker 1: as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and
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  Speaker 1: aunt so well that I am not afraid of requesting it,
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  Speaker 1: though I have still something more to ask of the former.
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  Speaker 1: My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly
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  Speaker 1: to try to discover her. What he means to do
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  Speaker 1: I am sure I know not, but his excessive distress
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  Speaker 1: will not allow him to pursue any measure in the
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  Speaker 1: best and safest way. and Colonel Forster is obliged to
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  Speaker 1: be at Brighton again tomorrow evening. In such an exigence,
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  Speaker 1: my uncle's advice and assistance would be everything in the world.
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  Speaker 1: He will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I
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  Speaker 1: rely upon his goodness. Oh, where, where is my uncle?
• 8:32
  Speaker 1: cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat as she finished the letter,
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  Speaker 1: in eagerness to follow him, without losing a moment of
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  Speaker 1: the time so precious. But as she reached the door,
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  Speaker 1: it was opened by a servant, and Mr Darcy appeared.
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  Speaker 1: Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and
• 8:54
  Speaker 1: before he could recover himself enough to speak, she, in
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  Speaker 1: whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed,
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  Speaker 1: I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I
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  Speaker 1: must find Mr Gardiner this moment on business that cannot
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  Speaker 1: be delayed. I have not an instant to lose. Good God!
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  Speaker 1: What is the matter? cried he, with more feeling than politeness.
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  Speaker 1: Then recollecting himself, I will not detain you a minute,
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  Speaker 1: but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr
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  Speaker 1: and Mrs Gardiner. You are not well enough. You cannot
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  Speaker 1: go yourself. Elizabeth hesitated. but her knees trembled under her,
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  Speaker 1: and she felt how little would be gained by her
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  Speaker 1: attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she
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  Speaker 1: commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as made
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  Speaker 1: her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and mistress home instantly.
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  Speaker 1: On his quitting the room, she sat down, unable to
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  Speaker 1: support herself, and looking so miserably ill that it was
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  Speaker 1: impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying,
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  Speaker 1: in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, Let me call
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  Speaker 1: your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give
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  Speaker 1: you present relief? A glass of wine. Shall I get
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  Speaker 1: you one? You are very ill. No, I thank you,
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  Speaker 1: she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. There is nothing the
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  Speaker 1: matter with me. I am quite well. I am only
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  Speaker 1: distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received
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  Speaker 1: from Longbourn. She burst into tears as she alluded to it.
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  Speaker 1: and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Darcy,
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  Speaker 1: in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his
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  Speaker 1: concern and observe her in compassionate silence. At length she
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  Speaker 1: spoke again. I have just had a letter from Jane
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  Speaker 1: with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone.
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  Speaker 1: My youngest sister has left all her friends, has eloped.
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  Speaker 1: has thrown herself into the power of... of Mr Wickham.
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  Speaker 1: They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him
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  Speaker 1: too well to doubt the rest. She has no money,
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  Speaker 1: no connections, nothing that can tempt him to. She is
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  Speaker 1: lost forever. Darcy was fixed in astonishment. When I consider,
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  Speaker 1: she added, in a yet more agitated voice, that I
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  Speaker 1: might have prevented it, I who knew what he was...
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  Speaker 1: Had I but explained some part of it only, some
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  Speaker 1: part of what I learnt to my own family, had
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  Speaker 1: his character been known, this could not have happened. But
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  Speaker 1: it is all, all too late now. I am grieved indeed,
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  Speaker 1: cried Darcy, grieved, shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?
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  Speaker 1: Oh yes, they left Brighton together on Sunday night. and
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  Speaker 1: were traced almost to London, but not beyond. They are
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  Speaker 1: certainly not gone to Scotland. And what has been done?
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  Speaker 1: What has been attempted? To recover her? My father has
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  Speaker 1: gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my
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  Speaker 1: uncle's immediate assistance. And we shall be off, I hope,
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  Speaker 1: in half an hour. But nothing can be done. I
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  Speaker 1: know very well that nothing can be done. How is
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  Speaker 1: such a man to be worked on? How are they
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  Speaker 1: even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope.
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  Speaker 1: It is every way horrible. Darcy shook his head in
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  Speaker 1: silent acquiescence. When my eyes were opened to his real character, oh,
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  Speaker 1: had I known what I ought, what I dared to do.
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  Speaker 1: But I knew not. I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched,
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  Speaker 1: wretched mistake. Darcy made no answer. He seemed scarcely to
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  Speaker 1: hear her and was walking up and down the room
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  Speaker 1: in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth
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  Speaker 1: soon observed and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking.
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  Speaker 1: Everything must sink under such a proof of family weakness,
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  Speaker 1: such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither
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  Speaker 1: wonder nor condemn. but the belief of his self-conquest brought
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  Speaker 1: nothing consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress.
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  Speaker 1: It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her
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  Speaker 1: understand her own wishes, and never had she so honestly
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  Speaker 1: felt that she could have loved him, as now, when
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  Speaker 1: all love must be vain. But self, though it would intrude,
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  Speaker 1: could not engross her. Lydia? the humiliation, the misery she
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  Speaker 1: was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care,
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  Speaker 1: and covering her face with her handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon
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  Speaker 1: lost to everything else, and after a pause of several minutes,
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  Speaker 1: was only recalled to a sense of her situation by
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  Speaker 1: the voice of her companion, who, in a manner which,
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  Speaker 1: though it spoke compassion, spoke likewise restraint. said, I am
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  Speaker 1: afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have
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  Speaker 1: I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real,
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  Speaker 1: though unavailing, concern. Would to heaven that anything could be
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  Speaker 1: either said or done on my part, that might offer
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  Speaker 1: consolation to such distress. But I will not torment you
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  Speaker 1: with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for
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  Speaker 1: your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my
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  Speaker 1: sisters having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley today. Oh, yes.
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  Speaker 1: Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy.
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  Speaker 1: Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the
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  Speaker 1: unhappy truth as long as it is possible. I know
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  Speaker 1: it cannot be long. He readily assured her of his secrecy.
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  Speaker 1: again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a
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  Speaker 1: happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and,
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  Speaker 1: leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious
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  Speaker 1: parting look, went away. As he quitted the room, Elizabeth
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  Speaker 1: felt how improbable it was that they should ever see
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  Speaker 1: each other again, on such terms of cordiality as had
• 16:08
  Speaker 1: marked their several meetings in Derbyshire. And as she threw
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  Speaker 1: a retrospective glance over the whole of their acquaintance, so
• 16:18
  Speaker 1: full of contradictions and varieties, sighed at the perverseness of
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  Speaker 1: those feelings which would now have promoted its continuance and
• 16:29
  Speaker 1: would formerly have rejoiced in its termination. If gratitude and
• 16:35
  Speaker 1: esteem are good foundations of affection, Elizabeth's change of sentiment
• 16:40
  Speaker 1: will be neither improbable nor faulty. But if otherwise, if
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  Speaker 1: the regard springing from such sources is unreasonable or unnatural,
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  Speaker 1: in comparison of what is so often described as arising
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  Speaker 1: on a first interview with its object, and even before
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  Speaker 1: two words have been exchanged, nothing can be said in
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  Speaker 1: her defence, except that she had given somewhat of a
• 17:06
  Speaker 1: trial to the latter method, in her partiality for Wickham,
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  Speaker 1: and that its ill success might, perhaps, authorise her to
• 17:16
  Speaker 1: seek the other, less interesting mode of attachment. Be that
• 17:21
  Speaker 1: as it may, she saw him go with regret, and
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  Speaker 1: in this early example of what Lydia's infamy must produce,
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  Speaker 1: found additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business.
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  Speaker 1: Never since reading Jane's second letter had she entertained a
• 17:40
  Speaker 1: hope of Wickham's meaning to marry her. No one but Jane,
• 17:44
  Speaker 1: she thought, could flatter herself with such an expectation. Surprise
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  Speaker 1: was the least of all her feelings on this development.
• 17:55
  Speaker 1: While the contents of the first letter remained on her mind,
• 17:59
  Speaker 1: she was all surprise, all astonishment, that Wickham should marry
• 18:03
  Speaker 1: a girl whom it was impossible he could marry for money,
• 18:08
  Speaker 1: and how Lydia could ever have attached him had appeared incomprehensible.
• 18:14
  Speaker 1: But now it was all too natural. For such an
• 18:18
  Speaker 1: attachment as this, she might have sufficient charms. And though
• 18:24
  Speaker 1: she did not suppose Lydia to be deliberately engaging in
• 18:27
  Speaker 1: an elopement without the intention of marriage... she had no
• 18:32
  Speaker 1: difficulty in believing that neither her virtue nor her understanding
• 18:38
  Speaker 1: would preserve her from falling an easy prey. She had
• 18:42
  Speaker 1: never perceived, while the regiment was in Hertfordshire, that Lydia
• 18:47
  Speaker 1: had any partiality for him, but she was convinced that
• 18:51
  Speaker 1: Lydia had wanted only encouragement to attach herself to anybody.
• 18:57
  Speaker 1: Sometimes one officer, sometimes another, had been her favourite, as
• 19:03
  Speaker 1: their attentions raised them in her opinion. Her affections had
• 19:07
  Speaker 1: been continually fluctuating, but never without an object. The mischief
• 19:13
  Speaker 1: of neglect and mistaken indulgence towards such a girl, oh,
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  Speaker 1: how acutely did she now feel it. She was wild
• 19:21
  Speaker 1: to be at home, to hear, to see, to be
• 19:24
  Speaker 1: upon the spot, to share with Jane in the cares
• 19:27
  Speaker 1: that must now fall wholly upon her. in a family
• 19:30
  Speaker 1: so deranged, a father absent, a mother incapable of exertion
• 19:37
  Speaker 1: and requiring constant attendance. And though almost persuaded that nothing
• 19:43
  Speaker 1: could be done for Lydia, her uncle's interference seemed of
• 19:47
  Speaker 1: the utmost importance until he entered the room, the misery
• 19:52
  Speaker 1: of her impatience was severe. Mr and Mrs Gardiner had
• 19:57
  Speaker 1: hurried back in alarm, supposing by the servant's account that
• 20:01
  Speaker 1: their niece was taken suddenly ill, but satisfying them instantly
• 20:06
  Speaker 1: on that head, she eagerly communicated the cause of their summons,
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: reading the two letters aloud, and dwelling on the postscript
• 20:16
  Speaker 1: of the last with trembling energy. Though Lydia had never
• 20:22
  Speaker 1: been a favourite with them, Mr and Mrs Gardiner could
• 20:26
  Speaker 1: not but be deeply affected. Not Lydia only, but all
• 20:31
  Speaker 1: were concerned in it, and after the first exclamations of
• 20:35
  Speaker 1: surprise and horror, Mr Gardiner readily promised every assistance in
• 20:41
  Speaker 1: his power. Elizabeth, though expecting no less, thanked him with
• 20:48
  Speaker 1: tears of gratitude, and all three being actuated by one spirit,
• 20:53
  Speaker 1: everything relating to their journey was speedily settled. They were
• 20:58
  Speaker 1: to be off as soon as possible. But what is
• 21:02
  Speaker 1: to be done about Pemberley? cried Mrs Gardiner. John told us, Mr.
• 21:08
  Speaker 1: Darcy was here when you sent for us. Was it so? Yes,
• 21:13
  Speaker 1: and I told him we should not be able to
• 21:15
  Speaker 1: keep our engagement. That is all settled. What is all settled?
• 21:22
  Speaker 1: repeated the other, as she ran into her room to prepare.
• 21:26
  Speaker 1: And are they upon such terms as for her to
• 21:29
  Speaker 1: disclose the real truth? Oh, that I knew how it was.
• 21:33
  Speaker 1: But wishes were vain, or at best... could serve only
• 21:38
  Speaker 1: to amuse her in the hurry and confusion of the
• 21:41
  Speaker 1: following hour. Had Elizabeth been at leisure to be idle,
• 21:45
  Speaker 1: she would have remained certain that all employment was impossible
• 21:50
  Speaker 1: to one so wretched as herself. But she had her
• 21:54
  Speaker 1: share of business, as well as her aunt, and amongst
• 21:58
  Speaker 1: the rest there were notes to be written to all
• 22:01
  Speaker 1: their friends at Lambton, with false excuses for their sudden departure.
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: An hour, however, saw the whole completed, and Mr Gardiner, meanwhile,
• 22:13
  Speaker 1: having settled his account at the inn, nothing remained to
• 22:17
  Speaker 1: be done but to go. And Elizabeth, after all the
• 22:22
  Speaker 1: misery of the morning, found herself, in a shorter space
• 22:26
  Speaker 1: of time than she could have supposed, seated in the
• 22:30
  Speaker 1: carriage and on the road to Longbourn.