PRIDE & PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER FIFTY

Mr Bennet had often wished for saving a part of his income to provide for the future of his wife and children.  He now wished it more than ever.  Had he done it Lydia need not have have been indebted to her uncle.  The satisfaction of prevailing on one of the most worthless men in Great Britain to be her husband might then have rested in its proper place. He was determined to find the extend of his brother's assistance, and discharge it as soon as possible.

When Mr Bennet had married, economy was not a concern. It was hoped they were to have a son; the son would cut off the entail, as soon as he should be of age, and the widow of the 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 last been despaired of, but then it was too late to be saving.  Mrs Bennet was least bothered of 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 her children.  But in what proportion it should be divided amongst the latter depended on the will of the parents.  This with regard to Lydia should be settled immediately.  Mr Bennet could have no hesitation in acceding to the proposal before him - the proposal put forward by Mr Gardiner.

The good news spread through the house, and to the neighborhood.  It was a fortnight since Mrs Bennet had been downstairs, 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 her first wish since Jane was sixteen, was now on the point of accomplishment, and her thoughts and words ran wholly on elegant nuptials, fine muslins, new carriages, and servants.  She was busily searching through the neighborhood 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 could 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 Pulvis 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 all or any of these houses for your son and daughter, let us come to a right understanding.  Into one house in this neighborhood 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 marks of affection whatever on the occasion.  Mrs Bennet could hardly comprehend it.  She was more alive to the disgrace which her 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 sorry, that she had, out of distress of the moment, acquainted Mr Darcy, the circumstances of her sister's elopement with Wickham. Had it not been, she could have concealed the unfavorable beginning of the marriage.  She was humbled, grieved, and repented.

Mr Gardiner soon wrote to his brother.  To Mr Bennet's acknowledgements he briefly replied, with assurance of his eagerness to promote the welfare of any of his family, and concluded with entreaties that the subject might never be mentioned 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 the 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 to 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 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 - yours Etc

"E. Gardiner."

Mr Bennet and his daughters saw all the advantages of Wickham's removal from the ---- shire as clearly as Mr Gardiner could do.  But Mrs Bennet was not pleased with it.  Lydia being settled in the North, just when she had expected most pleasure and pride in her company, was a severe disappointment.  Besides it was such a pity that Lydia should be taken from a regiment where she was acquainted with everybody, and had so many favourites.

Mr Bennet was not willing to receive Lydia and her husband at Longbourn. But Jane and Elizabeth requested him earnestly to receive Lydia and her husband, and their request prevailed upon him.  Accordingly Mr Bennet wrote to Mr Gardiner, giving his permission for them to come.  It was settled that as soon as the ceremony was over they should proceed to Longbourn.

THE END 


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