第86章[第4页/共5页]

But the gloom of Lydia's prospect was shortly cleared away;for she received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This invaluable friend was a very young woman, and very lately married.A resemblance in good humour and good spirits had recommended her and Lydia to each other,and out of their three months' acquaintance they had been intimate two.

“I cannot see why Mrs. Forster should not ask me as well as Lydia,”said she,“Though I am not her particular friend.I have just as much right to be asked as she has,and more too,for I am two years older.”

Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through Longbourn House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them;but all sense of pleasure was lost in shame.She felt anew the justice of Mr. Darcy's objections; and never had she been so much disposed to pardon his interference in the views of his friend.

“If one could but go to Brighton!”observed Mrs. Bennet.

“If you were aware,”said Elizabeth,“of the very great disadvantage to us all which must arise from the public notice of Lydia's unguarded and imprudent manner―nay,which has already arisen from it,I am sure you would judge differently in the affair.”