第114章[第3页/共5页]

When first Mr.Bennet had married,economy was held to be perfectly useless,for,of course,they were to have a son.The 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.

That it would be done with such trifling exertion on his side, too, was another very welcome surprise; for his 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 further particulars of what he was indebted to his brother, but was too angry with Lydia to send any message to her.