PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 50

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MR. BENNET had very
often wished, before this period of his life, that, instead of spending
his whole income, he had laid by an annual sum for the better provision
of his children, and of his wife, if she survived him. He now wished it
more than ever. Had he done his duty in that respect, Lydia need not have
been indebted to her uncle for whatever of honour or credit could now
be purchased for her. The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most
worthless young men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have
rested in its proper place.

He was seriously concerned that a cause of so little advantage to any
one should be forwarded at the sole expence of his brother-in-law, and
he was determined, if possible, to find out the extent of his assistance,
and to discharge the obligation as soon as he could.

When first Mr. Bennet had married, economy was held to be perfectly
  useless; for, of course, they were to have a son. This son was to join
  in cutting off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow
  and younger children would by that means be provided for. Five daughters
  successively entered the world, but yet the son was to come; and Mrs.
  Bennet, for many years after Lydia's birth, had been certain that he
  would. This event had at last been despaired of, but it was then too
  late to be saving. Mrs. Bennet had no turn for economy, and her husband's
  love of independence had alone prevented their exceeding their income.

Five thousand pounds was settled by marriage articles on Mrs. Bennet
  and the children. But in what proportions it should be divided amongst
  the latter depended on the will of the parents. This was one point,
  with regard to Lydia at least, which was now to be settled, and Mr.
  Bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him.
  In terms of grateful acknowledgment for the kindness of his brother,
  though expressed most concisely, he then delivered on paper his perfect
  approbation of all that was done, and his willingness to fulfil the
  engagements that had been made for him. He had never before supposed
  that, could Wickham be prevailed on to marry his daughter, it would
  be done with so little inconvenience to himself as by the present arrangement.
  He would scarcely be ten pounds a year the loser, by the hundred that
  was to be paid them; for, what with her board and pocket allowance,
  and the continual presents in money which passed to her through her
  mother's hands, Lydia's expences had been very little within that sum.

That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too,
  was another very welcome surprise; for his chief wish at present was
  to have as little trouble in the business as possible. When the first
  transports of rage which had produced his activity in seeking her were
  over, he naturally returned to all his former indolence. His letter
  was soon dispatched; for though dilatory in undertaking business, he
  was quick in its execution. He begged to know farther particulars of
  what he was indebted to his brother; but was too angry with Lydia to
  send any message to her.

The good news quickly spread through the house; and with proportionate
  speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in the latter with decent
  philosophy. To be sure, it would have been more for the advantage of
  conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennet come upon the town; or, as the happiest
  alternative, been secluded from the world in some distant farm house.
  But there was much to be talked of in marrying her; and the good-natured
  wishes for her well-doing, which had proceeded before from all the spiteful
  old ladies in Meryton, lost but little of their spirit in this change
  of circumstances, because with such an husband, her misery was considered
  certain.

It was a fortnight since Mrs. Bennet had been down stairs, but on
  this happy day she again took her seat at the head of her table, and
  in spirits oppressively high. No sentiment of shame gave a damp to her
  triumph. The marriage of a daughter, which had been the first object
  of her wishes since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of accomplishment,
  and her thoughts and her words ran wholly on those attendants of elegant
  nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants. She was busily
  searching through the neighbourhood for a "proper situation" for her
  daughter, and, without knowing or considering what their income might
  be, rejected many as deficient in size and importance.

"Haye-Park might do," said she, "if the Gouldings would quit it,
  or the great house at Stoke, if the drawing-room were larger; but Ashworth
  is too far off! I could not bear to have her ten miles from me; and
  as for Purvis Lodge, the attics are dreadful."

Her husband allowed her to talk on without interruption while the
  servants remained. But when they had withdrawn, he said to her, "Mrs.
  Bennet, before you take any or all of these houses for your son and
  daughter, let us come to a right understanding. Into one house in this
  neighbourhood, they shall never have admittance. I will not encourage
  the impudence of either by receiving them at Longbourn."

A long dispute followed this declaration, but Mr. Bennet was firm;
  it soon led to another, and Mrs. Bennet found, with amazement and horror,
  that her husband would not advance a guinea to buy clothes for his daughter.
  He protested that she should receive from him no mark of affection whatever
  on the occasion. Mrs. Bennet could hardly comprehend it. That his anger
  could be carried to such a point of inconceivable resentment, as to
  refuse his daughter a privilege without which her marriage would scarcely
  seem valid, exceeded all that she could believe possible. She was more
  alive to the disgrace which the want of new clothes must reflect on
  her daughter's nuptials, than to any sense of shame at her eloping and
  living with Wickham a fortnight before they took place.

Elizabeth was now most heartily sorry that she had, from the distress
  of the moment, been led to make Mr. Darcy acquainted with their fears
  for her sister; for since her marriage would so shortly give the proper
  termination to the elopement, they might hope to conceal its unfavourable
  beginning from all those who were not immediately on the spot.

She had no fear of its spreading farther through his means. There
  were few people on whose secrecy she would have more confidently depended;
  but at the same time, there was no one whose knowledge of a sister's
  frailty would have mortified her so much. Not, however, from any fear
  of disadvantage from it individually to herself; for at any rate, there
  seemed a gulf impassable between them. Had Lydia's marriage been concluded
  on the most honourable terms, it was not to be supposed that Mr. Darcy
  would connect himself with a family where, to every other objection
  would now be added an alliance and relationship of the nearest kind
  with the man whom he so justly scorned.

From such a connection she could not wonder that he should shrink.
  The wish of procuring her regard, which she had assured herself of his
  feeling in Derbyshire, could not in rational expectation survive such
  a blow as this. She was humbled, she was grieved; she repented, though
  she hardly knew of what. She became jealous of his esteem, when she
  could no longer hope to be benefited by it. She wanted to hear of him,
  when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was
  convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer
  likely they should meet.

What a triumph for him, as she often thought, could he know that the
  proposals which she had proudly spurned only four months ago, would
  now have been gladly and gratefully received! He was as generous, she
  doubted not, as the most generous of his sex. But while he was mortal,
  there must be a triumph.

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition
  and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though
  unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union
  that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness,
  his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his
  judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received
  benefit of greater importance. But no such happy marriage could now
  teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was. An
  union of a different tendency, and precluding the possibility of the
  other, was soon to be formed in their family.

How Wickham and Lydia were to be supported in tolerable independence,
  she could not imagine. But how little of permanent happiness could belong
  to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were
  stronger than their virtue, she could easily conjecture.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Gardiner soon wrote again to his brother. To Mr. Bennet's acknowledgments
  he briefly replied, with assurances of his eagerness to promote the
  welfare of any of his family, and concluded with intreaties that the
  subject might never be mentioned to him again. The principal purport
  of his letter was to inform them that Mr. Wickham had resolved on quitting
  the Militia.

"It was greatly my wish that he should do so," he added, "as soon
  as his marriage was fixed on. And I think you will agree with me in
  considering a removal from that corps as highly advisable, both on his
  account and my niece's. It is Mr. Wickham's intention to go into the
  regulars; and, among his former friends, there are still some who are
  able and willing to assist him in the army. He has the promise of an
  ensigncy in General ----'s regiment, now quartered in the North. It
  is an advantage to have it so far from this part of the kingdom. He
  promises fairly; and, I hope, among different people, where they may
  each have a character to preserve, they will both be more prudent. I
  have written to Colonel Forster, to inform him of our present arrangements,
  and to request that he will satisfy the various creditors of Mr. Wickham
  in and near Brighton with assurances of speedy payment, for which I
  have pledged myself. And will you give yourself the trouble of carrying
  similar assurances to his creditors in Meryton, of whom I shall subjoin
  a list, according to his information. He has given in all his debts;
  I hope at least he has not deceived us. Haggerston has our directions,
  and all will be completed in a week. They will then join his regiment,
  unless they are first invited to Longbourn; and I understand from Mrs.
  Gardiner that my niece is very desirous of seeing you all, before she
  leaves the South. She is well, and begs to be dutifully remembered to
  you and her mother. -- Your's,

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1. Ebooks list page : 81
2. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 53
3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 37
4. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 36
5. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 35
6. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 31
7. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 30
8. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 34
9. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 29
10. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 27
11. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 28
12. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 26
13. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 38
14. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 39
15. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 52
16. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 51