第117章[第1页/共5页]

“I thank you for my share of the favour,”said Elizabeth;“but I do not particularly like your way of getting husbands.”

“And then when you go away,you may leave one or two of my sisters behind you;and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the winter is over.”

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.

Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they then turned,was not quite so cordial. His countenance rather gained in austerity;and he scarcely opened his lips.The easy assurance of the young couple,indeed,was enough to provoke him.

“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?”

It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first. Her ease and good spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs. Phillips,the Lucases,and all their other neighbours,and to hear herself called“Mrs.Wickham”by each of them;and in the mean time,she went after dinner to show her ring,and boast of being married,to Mrs.Hill and the two housemaids.