第122章[第1页/共5页]

Elizabeth did not know what to make of it.Had she not seen him in Derbyshire, she might have supposed him capable of coming there with no other view than what was acknowledged;but she still thought him partial to Jane, and she wavered as to the greater probability of his coming there with his friend's permission,or being bold enough to come without it.

“Write to me very often,my dear.”

“As often as I can. But you know married women have never much time for writing.My sisters may write to me.They will have nothing else to do.”

“It is no such thing. Lydia does not leave me because she is married,but only because her husband's regiment happens to be so far off. If that had been nearer, she would not have gone so soon.”

“No,no.You forced me into visiting him last year,and promised, if I went to see him,he should marry one of my daughters.But it ended in nothing,and I will not be sent on a fool's errand again.”

The day of his and Lydia's departure soon came,and Mrs.Bennet was forced to submit to a separation,which,as her husband by no means entered into her scheme of their all going to Newcastle,was likely to continue at least a twelvemonth.

“Well,all I know is,that it will be abominably rude if you do not wait on him.But,however,that shan't prevent my asking him to dine here,I am determined.We must have Mrs.Long and the Gouldings soon.That will make thirteen with ourselves,so there will be just room at table for him.”