Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 57

The whole family looked forward to receiving a letter from Mr. Bennet the next morning, but when the postman arrived, he brought no word from him.His family knew that he had always been lazy in writing letters, but in such an extraordinary period, they had hoped that he would be more diligent.The family had to think that he had no good news to come back just now, but that was what they wanted to be confirmed.Mr. Gardiner also wished to see a few more letters before he set off.

After Mr. Gardiner also went to London, everyone was relieved that at least they could hear more often how things were going.Before he left, he also promised that he would persuade Mr. Bennet to return to Longbourne as soon as possible. This was a great comfort to his sister, because Mrs. Bennet thought that the only way to avoid her husband died in a duel.

Mrs. Gardiner and the children will remain in Hertfordshire for a few days, as she feels she is here to help her nieces.She nursed Mrs. Bennet with them, and was a comfort to them at their leisure.Their aunts also often come to see them.She said she had come to cheer them up a little, but each time she left she left them the more depressed, as she brought with her each new fact of Wickham's luxury and debauchery.

People here in Meryton seem to be trying to speak ill of him, but only three months ago the man was almost an angel of light.It was said that he was in debt to every merchant in the land, and that he had seduced women, and put his claws into every merchant's house.Everyone said he was the worst young man in the world, and everyone began to feel that they had never believed in his good looks.Elizabeth, though not wholly believing the above-mentioned rumors, was enough to convince her that her sister's ruin would be certain at the hands of this man; and even Jane, who believed less in them, was now almost despairing. , since so much time had passed, and if they had both gone to Scotland (for which she had never quite given up hope), it would be time to hear something of them too.

Mr. Gardiner left Longbourn on Sunday; on Tuesday his wife had a letter from him saying that he had found Mr. Bennet as soon as he arrived in London, and advised him to take up residence at Tennessee Abbey. Street here.Mr. Bennet had first been to Epsom and Clapham, but unfortunately found nothing useful; he now intends to search all the major hotels in the city, because he thinks that before they have just arrived in London, they will not find lodgings. , may have lived in a certain hotel.Mr. Gardiner himself did not believe that the method would work, but, as his brother-in-law insisted, he planned to help him.Mr. Gardiner concluded by saying that Mr. Bennet did not seem at the present moment to have the slightest intention of leaving London, and he promised to write another letter shortly, with the following postscript:

"I have written to Colonel Forster, asking him to seek out as many of Wickham's good friends in the army as he can, and to ask them if Wickham has any relations and friends in town who may know him. Hidden somewhere in the city. It would be a lot easier if we had someone like that to ask and maybe get some clues from. We haven't got a clue yet. I dare say Colonel Foster will do his best To do it for us. But, I thought again, perhaps Lizzy knows better than anyone else what relations Wickham has now."

Elizabeth knew, of course, why she had been promoted in this way; but she could not give useful information worthy of the compliment.

She had never heard of any relatives of him, except his parents, who had died many years before.However, his friends in the army might provide some information; although she didn't have high hopes for it, it was worthwhile to try.

Every day in the Longbourne family was now spent in anxiety; and the most anxious time of the day was when the postman was about to arrive.The arrival of the letter was the first thing they looked forward to eagerly every morning.Whether it is good news or bad news, it is always delivered by letter, and they are always looking forward to the next day to bring some important information.

Before Mr. Gardiner's second came, they had a letter addressed to their father, from Mr. Collins, at a different place; as Jane had been entrusted by her father to open all the letters in his absence, she She began to read it; and Elizabeth, who knew that his letters were always queer, stood behind her sister to read them too.The letter reads as follows:
"Dear Sir:

Because of our ties of kinship and my professional ties, I feel that it is my condolences for the great sorrow you are now suffering - which I learned yesterday from a letter from Hertfordshire - that I obligatory.You may be sure, my dear sir, that Mrs. Collins and I sympathize with you and your esteemed family for the pain you and your esteemed family are currently suffering, which must be deeply felt because it stems from a time that cannot wash away. reason.I do wish I could say something to lessen the consequences of this misfortune; or to comfort you, for I know that the spirits of parents are never more struck in such cases than by parental spirits.If you knew this earlier, your daughter would be lucky if she could die.

What is even more deplorable is that there is reason to believe (as my dear Carlotti told me) that your daughter's voluptuous behavior was due to wrongful connivance by the adults in the family, although for the comfort of you and Bennet I would like to think, madam, that Lydia's disposition was inherently wicked, or she could not have made such a grave mistake at such a young age.Be that as it may, I sympathize with your sorrow, and not only with Lady Collins, but also with Lady Catherine and her daughter (to whom I have told the story).We agreed that the misstep of one daughter would injure the fortunes of all the others, for, as Lady Catherine herself so well taught, who would want to marry such a family.This consideration made me quite proud and I also remembered that I proposed to Qianjin last November. Fortunately, it was not successful, otherwise I would also be involved in your pain and shame now.I hope that the husband can comfort himself as much as possible, abandon all love for this wronged daughter, and let her eat her own evil consequences.Best regards, below. "

Mr. Gardiner did not write his second letter until after Colonel Forster's reply; it brought no welcome news.No one knew of any relations Wickham had with whom he was in any way connected, and indeed none of his close relatives survived.His old friends were indeed many; but since he entered the army, there seemed to have been no more intimate relations between him and them.So it's hard to find a single person who can tell anything about him.Apart from the fear of being discovered by Lydia's family, Wickham's poor financial situation compelled him to keep some secrets, for it has just been revealed that he was going away owing a large sum of money. gambling debts.Colonel Forster estimated that he would need more than £1000 to pay off his Brighton debts.He owed a good deal in London, too, and there his reputation for debt was even more formidable.Mr. Gardiner made no attempt to conceal these details from the Longbourn family; Jane read it with horror. "What a gambler!" she exclaimed. "It's so unexpected. I never thought it would be like this."

Mr. Gardiner went on to write that they could see their father the next day, Saturday.Dispirited by the futility of all their efforts, their father at last granted his uncle's request to return home, leaving him alone.When Mrs. Bennet was informed of these circumstances, she did not express satisfaction as her daughters expected, although she was so anxious for her father's life a few days ago.

"What is he doing coming home without poor Lydia!" she cried indignantly. "How can he leave London before they are both found? married a daughter?"

Mrs. Gardiner, too, began to want to go home, and resolved to return to London with the children while Mr. Bennet was away.So when they sent a car to take their mother and son to the first stop, they brought back the owner of Langbosi by the way.

Lady Gardiner was gone, taking with her the mystery of Elizabeth and her Derbyshire friend which had haunted her since Derbyshire.Her niece never voluntarily mentioned his name before them; and Mrs. Gardiner's hope that they would receive a letter from Mr. Darcy immediately upon their return was vain.Elizabeth had not received a single word from Pemberley.

The present unhappiness in the family was enough to depress her, and she needed no other reason for her depression; Let's get into the details.Though she had by now sorted out her own feelings: if she had not known Mr. Darcy at all, she would have been more able to bear the humiliation of Lydia.In that case, she thought her sleepless nights could be cut in half at least.

Mr. Bennet returned home with his customary philosophical composure.He still talked as little as before; he didn't mention a word about his going out this time, and it was a long time before the daughters dared to talk about it in his presence.

It was in the afternoon, when he was having tea with his daughters, that Elizabeth ventured to speak of it.When she just said that she was very sad because of him suffering a lot this time, her father took over, "Don't say such things, I should have suffered this crime. This is myself I should bear the consequences."

"You mustn't blame yourself too much," replied Elizabeth.

"You advised me that I might have avoided this misfortune. But how easy it is for human nature to fall into old habits! Don't advise me, Lizzy, and let me experience it once in my life. I'm not worried about getting depressed. The pain will pass soon."

"Do you think they'll be in London?"

"Yes, and where else could they have kept themselves so secret?"

"Lydia was always thinking of going to London," added Kitty.

"It suits her, then," said their father lazily, "and she may stay there for a while."

After a moment of silence, he went on to say: "Lizzy, what you said to persuade me in May was correct, and I don't blame you at all. Judging from what has happened now, it shows that you are Insightful."

Their conversation was interrupted when Miss Bennet came in and brought her mother tea.

"Your mother's doing this is a kind of airs," cried Mr. Bennet, "and it is not without merit; it adds a different kind of elegance to the misfortune of the family! Some day I will Do it; I'll sit in my study in my smock and nightcap, and have you one by one wait on me—oh, maybe I'll wait till Kitty elopes too."

"I don't run away, papa," said Kitty angrily, "and I'll be much better behaved than Lydia when I go to Brighton."

"You go to Brighton! I dare not tell you to go as near as Eastbourne! No, Kitty, at least I've learned to be cautious, and you'll feel it Consequences. No more officers are allowed in my house, not even in our village. Absolutely forbidden after dancing, unless it is between you sisters. And you are not allowed to go out of the house unless you have already To be able to spend 10 minutes a day at home without messing up."

Kitty believed these threats, and burst into tears.

"Oh, now," said her father, "don't make yourself unhappy. If you've been a good girl for the next ten years, I'll take you to the parade at the end of the decade."

(End of this chapter)