“Very true;and if I had my will,we should.But my dear Lydia,I don't at all like your going such a way off.Must it be so?”
“I should like it beyond anything!”said her mother.
Lydia's voice was heard in the vestibule; the door was thrown open,and she ran into the room. Her mother stepped forwards, embraced her, and welcomed her with rapture; gave her hand, with an affectionate smile, to Wickham, who followed his lady;and wished them both joy with an alacrity which shewed no doubt of their happiness.
Elizabeth could bear it no longer.She got up,and ran out of the room;and returned no more,till she heard them passing through the hall to the dining parlour.She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia,with anxious parade,walk up to her mother's right hand,and hear her say to her eldest sister,
“Ah!Jane,I take your place now,and you must go lower,because I am a married woman.”
Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself, but his manners were always so pleasing,that had his character and his marriage been exactly what they ought, his smiles and his easy address,while he claimed their relationship,would have delighted them all. Elizabeth had not before believed him quite equal to such assurance;but she sat down,resolving within herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence of an impudent man. She blushed,and Jane blushed;but the cheeks of the two who caused their confusion suffered no variation of colour.