第117章[第1頁/共6頁]

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.

Elizabeth could bear it no longer.She got up,and ran out of the room;and returned no more,till she heard them passing through the hall to the dining parlour.She then joined them soon enough to see Lydia,with anxious parade,walk up to her mother's right hand,and hear her say to her eldest sister,

“Only think of its being three months,”she cried,“since I went away;it seems but a fortnight I declare;and yet there have been things enough happened in the time.Good gracious!When I went away,I am sure I had no more idea of being married till I came back again!Though I thought it would be very good fun if I was.”Her father lifted up his eyes. Jane was distressed. Elizabeth looked expressively at Lydia; but she, who never heard nor saw anything of which she chose to be insensible,gaily continued,