PRIDE & PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER FORTY SIX

Elizabeth did not receive any letters from Jane on their arrival at Lambton, for the first two days. She was disappointed. But on the third day she received two letters.  The address of the first letter was not correct and it went somewhere else, and redirected to the proper address, and delivered along with the second.

"Since writing the previous one, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected nature; I am afraid of alarming you - be assured we are all well.  It is about Lydia.  An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from Colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham!

"Imagine our surprise.  To Kitty it does not seem unexpected.  I am very very sorry.  So imprudent a match on both both sides.  But I hope the best.  That his character has been misunderstood.  Thoughtless and indiscreet is he.  But this is nothing bad at heart.  His choice is disinterested at least. He must know my father can give her nothing.  Our poor mother is sadly grieved.  My father bears it better.  They were off Saturday night.  The express was sent off directly.  Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon.  Lydia left few lines for Mrs Forster, informing her of their intention.  I am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written," ran the letter.

Elizabeth, after finishing this letter, instantly seized the other, and opening it with the utmost impatience, read as follows:

"By this time, my dear sister, you have received my hurried letter, I wish this may be more intelligible.  I am so bewildered and incoherent.  I hardly know what I would write.  But I have a bad news for you.  Imprudent as the marriage between Wickham and Lydia, we are now anxious that it has taken place, for there is but too much reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland.  Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the day before, not many hours after express.  Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs Forster gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, Denny expressed his belief that Wickham never intended to go there, or marry Lydia at all, and Colonel Forster, taking the alarm, instantly set off from Brighton, intending to trace their route.  He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no further. When Colonel Forster entered the place they escaped, leaving the chaise, and getting into a hackney coach.  All that is known after this is, that they were seen  move along the London road.  After making every possible inquiry in London, Colonel Forster returned to Hertfordshire.  Alert was given in every turnpike and inn in Barnet and Hatfield.  He came to Longbourn with concern and broke his apprehension. No one can throw any blame on Colonel Forster and his wife.  Father and mother believe the worst.  But I cannot think so ill of him.  Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan.  Colonel Forster is, however, of another view. He says that Wickham cannot be trusted.  My poor mother is really ill, and keeps her room.  As to my father, I never in my life saw him so affected.  Kitty is angry with her for having concealed their attachment. I long for your presence here.  But I do not press for it, if inconvenient. Goodbye.

"I take up my pen again to beg you all to come here as soon as possible.  I hope my uncle and aunt are so well, and I have something to ask of the former.  My father is going to London with Colonel Forster to try to seek and rescue her.  Uncle's advice will be of immense help to him.  He will immediately comprehend what I feel, and I rely upon his goodness."

"Oh! Where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat as she finished the letter, to follow her uncle, but as she reached the door, ipt was opened by a servant, and Mr Darcy appeared.  Her pale face, quick and thoughtless manner made him start, and before he could recover himself, she hastily exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you.  I must find Mr Gardiner immediately."

"Good God! What is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness, "I will not detain you a minute; but let me or the servant go after Mr and Mrs Gardiner, you are not well enough, you cannot go by yourself."

Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled; and let the job to the servant.  She sat down miserably, unable to support herself, that made Darcy unable to leave her.  

"Let me call your maid.  Is there anything, you could take, to get you some relief? A glass of wine, shall I get you one?  You are very ill."

"No, I thank you," she replied, trying to recover herself.  "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have received from Longbourn."

She burst into tears, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.  Darcy in suspense, could only utter something out of confusion, and observe her in compassionate silence.  At length she spoke again.  "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 into the power of Wickham.  They are gone off together from Brighton.  You know him too well.  She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to - she is lost for ever." 

Darcy was fixed in astonishment.  "When I consider," she continued in an agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it!  I, who knew who he was.  Had I but explained some part of it only - some part of what I learnt, to my own family!  Had his character been known, this could not have happened.  But it is all - all too late now."

"I am grieved indeed," said Darcy, really shocked.  But is it certain - absolutely certain?"

"Oh, yes!  They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London.  They are certainly not gone to Scotland."

"And what has been done, what has been attempted to recover her?"

"My father has gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle's immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour.  But nothing can be done - I know very well that nothing can be done.  How is such a man to be worked on.  How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope.  It is horrible!"

Darcy shook his head in silent acquiescence.

When my eyes were opened to his real character - oh! had I known what I ought, what I dared to do!  But I knew not - I was afraid of doing too much.  Wretched, wretched mistake.

Darcy made no answer.  He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in meditation.  Elizabeth soon observed and instantly understood it.  Her power was sinking under such a proof of family weakness.  Never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain. 

Lydia - the humiliation, the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care.  Covering her face with handkerchief, Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else, and, after a pause of several minutes, was recalled to her sense by the voice of her companion.  "I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence.  I will not torment you with vain wishes.  This unfortunate affair has prevented my sister's wish of seeing you at Pemberly today."

"Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy: say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long."

He readily assured her of his secrecy, wished it a happier conclusion, and leaving his compliments to her relations, with only one serious parting look, went away. When Mr and Mrs Gardiner came, Elizabeth apprised them of the situation at Longbourn, and they decided to cut short their stay at Lambton.

THE END