第103章[第3页/共3页]

“Oh, yes!They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London,but not beyond;they are certainly not gone to Scotland.”

“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;again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her relations,with only one serious,parting look,went away.

“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 every way horrible!”