第102章

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“By this time,my dearest sister,you have received my hurried letter; I wish this may be more telligible, but though not confed for time,my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for beg coherent. Dearest Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as the marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, havg left Brighton the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia''s short letter to Mrs.F.gave them to understand that they were gog to Gretna Green, somethg was dropped by Denny expressg his belief that W. never tended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F.,who,stantly takg the alarm,set off from B.tendg to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no further;for on enterg that place,they removed to a hackney coach,and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that is known after this is, that they were seen to contue the London road.I know not what to thk.After makg every possible quiry on that side London, Colonel F. came on to Hertfordshire,anxiously renewg them at all the turnpikes,and at the ns Barnet and Hatfield,but without any success—no such people had been seen to pass through.With the kdest concern he came on to Longbourn,and broke his apprehensions to us a manner most creditable to his heart. I am scerely grieved for him and Mrs. F., but no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the worst, but I cannot thk so ill of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately town than to pursue their first plan;and even if he could form such a design agast a young woman of Lydia''s connections,which is not likely,can I suppose her so lost to everythg?Impossible!I grieve to fd,however,that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his head when I expressed my hopes,and said he feared W.was not a man to be trusted.My poor mother is really ill,and keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better; but this is not to be expected.And as to my father,I never my life saw him so affected.Poor Kitty has anger for havg concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder.I am truly glad,dearest Lizzy,that you have been spared somethg of these distressg scenes;but now,as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not so selfish,however,as to press for it,if convenient.Adieu!I take up my pen aga to do what I have just told you I would not;but circumstances are such that I cannot help earnestly beggg you all to come here as soon as possible.I know my dear uncle and aunt so well,that I am not afraid of requestg it,though I have still somethg more to ask of the former.My father is gog to London with Colonel Forster stantly, to try to discover her.What he means to do, I am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure the best and safest way,and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton aga to-morrow eveng. In such an exigence, my uncle''s advice and assistance would be everythg the world;he will immediately comprehend what I must feel,and I rely upon his goodness.”

“Oh! where, where is my uncle?”cried Elizabeth,dartg from her seat as she fished the letter, eagerness to follow him,without losg a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared.Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start,and before he could recover himself to speak, she, whose md every idea was superseded by Lydia''s situation, hastily exclaimed,“I beg your pardon,but I must leave you.I must fd Mr.Garder this moment, on busess that cannot be delayed;I have not an stant to lose.”

“Good God! what is the matter?”cried he, with more feelg than politeness;then recollectg himself,“I will not deta you a mute; but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. Garder.You are not well enough;you cannot go yourself.”

Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she felt how little would be gaed by her attemptg to pursue them. Callg back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though so breathless an accent as made her almost untelligible,to fetch his master and mistress home stantly.

On his quittg the room she sat down, unable to support herself, and lookg so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refra from sayg, a tone of gentleness and commiseration,“Let me call your maid.Is there nothg you could take to give you present relief?A glass of we;shall I get you one?You are very ill.”

“No,I thank you,”she replied,endeavourg to recover herself.“There is nothg the matter with me.I am quite well;I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn.”

She burst to tears as she alluded to it,and for a few mutes could not speak another word. Darcy, wretched suspense, could only say somethg distctly of his concern,and observe her compassionate silence.At length she spoke aga.“I have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger sister has left all her friends—has eloped;has thrown herself to the power of—of Mr. Wickham.They are gone off together from Brighton.You know him too well to doubt the rest.She has no money,no connections, nothg that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever.”

Darcy was fixed astonishment.