Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 49 Lydia and Wickham Elope (1)
Elizabeth was greatly disappointed in not hearing from Jane immediately on her arrival at Lambert, and was equally disappointed the next morning.On the third day, she didn't have to worry anymore, and she didn't have to blame her sister anymore, because she received two letters from her sister that day, one of which stated that she had sent it to the wrong place.Elizabeth was not surprised, because Jane did write the address very scribbled.

They were just going out for a stroll when the two letters arrived.Her aunt and aunt went out by themselves, leaving her to read the letter quietly.Of course, the letter that was dropped in by mistake must be read first, and it was written five days ago.The letter first talked about some small-scale banquets and appointments, and then reported some news from the countryside; the second half reported an important news, and it was marked that it was written the next day. I was in a mess when I wrote.The second half of the letter reads as follows:

Dear Lizzy, after the first half of this letter, something very unexpected and serious has happened, but I am afraid to frighten you.Be safe, the family is well, and I am here to speak of poor Lydia.

Last night at twelve o'clock, just as we were going to bed, we received a dispatch from Colonel Forster, informing us that Lydia and one of his officers had gone to Scotland.To be honest, it was eloping with Wickham!Just think how amazed we were.Katie, however, doesn't think it's a complete surprise.I'm so sick!These two men and women made a pair in such a reckless way!But I am still willing to think from the best side, and hope that others have misunderstood his character.I certainly think he's reckless and presumptuous, but his behavior isn't necessarily ill-intentioned (let's hope so).At least he didn't choose this object for profit, because he must know that her father didn't give her a single dollar.Poor mother was terribly sad, but father managed to hold on.Thank God, fortunately, we never let the old people know what the outside world said about him.We don't have to take it to heart ourselves.

According to everyone's guess, they left at about twelve o'clock on Saturday night, but it was not until eight o'clock yesterday morning that they both disappeared.So Colonel Forster hurriedly wrote to tell us.

My dear Lizzy, they must have passed within ten miles of us.Colonel Forster said he must be coming to us soon.Lydia left a note for Mrs. Foster, informing her of their intentions.I had to stop writing because I couldn't be away from my mother for too long.I'm afraid you must be baffled, and I hardly know what I'm writing myself.

Elizabeth could scarcely express how she felt after reading this letter; without thinking, she seized another letter, and eagerly opened it and read it.This letter was written a day later than the first letter.

Dear sister, you have probably now received my hasty letter.I hope this letter will make things clearer.However, although the time was not urgent, my mind was so confused that I could not guarantee that the letter would be in order.My dear Lizzy, I hardly know what to write, but I must bring you the bad news without delay.So absurd as the marriage of Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia is, we should be very anxious to hear that they are married, for we are very much apprehensive that they have not gone to Scotland.Colonel Forster, who set out for us from Brighton a few hours after sending the express letter the day before yesterday, arrived here yesterday.

Although Lydia's letter to Mrs. Forster stated that they were going to Glenner Meadows, Danny believed that Wickham had no intention of going there, nor Not planning to marry Lydia.Colonel Forster was astonished at this, and set out from Brighton in the hope of overtaking them.He pursued the trail all the way to Klaphan, which was easy, but it was not easy to follow, because when the two of them reached this place, they sent away the carriage hired from Epsang. Yes, the cab was hired again.It is even more difficult to inquire about the traces afterwards. I only heard people say that they were seen continuing to go to London.I don't know how to figure it out.

Colonel Forster, after making inquisitive inquiries in London, proceeded to Hertfordshire, and searched in vain at the checkpoints along the way, and in all the hotels at Barnet and Hatfield. return.Everyone said that they had never seen such a person pass by.He came to Longbourne with great interest, and told us all his doubts with all sincerity.I feel really sorry for him and Mrs. Foster, and no one can blame the couple.

Dear Lizzy, we are in utter misery.Both father and mother thought it must end badly, but I couldn't bear to think so badly of him.Perhaps because of various relationships, they felt that it would be more appropriate to get married privately in the city, so they did not follow the original plan.Even if he insulted Lydia because she was young and ignorant, and had no relatives and relatives, and therefore had ill intentions for her, would Lydia herself be desperate?This thing is absolutely impossible!I was, however, saddened to hear that Colonel Forster did not quite believe that they would marry.I told him what I wanted, but he just shook his head, and said that Wickham might be a very unreliable man.

Poor mother is about to fall ill and stay out of the room all day.It might have been better if she had managed to restrain herself, but she couldn't.As for my father, I have never seen him suffer so much in all my life.Poor Kitty was indignant, too, and blamed herself for not telling the family about their intimacy, though I couldn't blame her for not telling them, since they both trusted her to keep it a secret.

I am so glad for you, my dear Lizzy, that these painful scenes are so out of sight to you.But now that the first adventure is over, you don't think I'm unreasonable, do I wish you back?If it is inconvenient for you, I will naturally not be too selfish to force you to come back.Goodbye!

I have just told you that I do not wish to compel you to come back, and now I will take up my pen to compel you again, because, as things stand, I have to earnestly beg you to come back as soon as possible.My aunt and uncle know each other very well, and they will never be offended, so I made a bold request, and I have other things to ask my uncle for help.

Father is going to London with Colonel Forster soon to try to find her.I don't know exactly what his plans are, but seeing him in such misery, I know he's never going to be very safe, and Colonel Forster has to go back to Brighton to-morrow night.The situation is so urgent, it seems that it is necessary to ask uncle to come to help.I believe he will understand my mood at the moment, and I believe he will be willing to help.

After Elizabeth finished reading the letter, she couldn't help crying: "Where is uncle?"

She quickly jumped up from the chair and hurriedly looked for her uncle.Time is too precious to miss even a minute.She had just reached the door when the servant opened it, and Mr. Darcy entered.He could not help being surprised to see her pale and frightened.He hadn't settled down to say a word, but because she was only thinking about Lydia's situation, she hurriedly called out: "I'm sorry, I can't accompany you. I have something urgent to go to Mr. Gardner, and I can't delay even a minute." .”

He couldn't control his emotions for a moment, and he couldn't care less about being polite.He yelled, "My God, what's the matter?"

He reassured himself, and then said: "I don't want to delay you for a minute, but let me go to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner for you, or let the servants go. You are not in good health, you can not go."

Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees were shaking, and she found it impossible to go to them.She had to call the servant and send him to fetch the master and mistress at once.She was so out of breath when she spoke that it was almost inaudible.

When the servant had gone out, she sat down.Darcy saw that her body could no longer support her, and her face was very ugly. She was really worried about leaving her, so she said in a gentle and considerate tone: "Let me call your maid. Can you have something to eat? Make yourself comfortable? Shall I pour you a glass of wine? You seem ill."

Trying to keep her composure, she replied, "No, thank you. I'm fine. I'm fine, but I've just had some sad news from Longbourn, which has made me very sad."

When she said this, she couldn't help crying, and couldn't say a word for a long time.Darcy, confused for a moment, mumbled some words of condolence, and looked at her in silence and sympathy.

(End of this chapter)