第111章[第1页/共4页]

“Lizzy,I bear you no ill-will for being justified in your advice to me last May,which,considering the event,shows some greatness of mind.”

“Do you suppose them to be in London?”

As Mrs.Gardiner began to wish to be at home,it was settled that she and the children should go to London,at the same time that Mr.Bennet came from it.The coach,therefore,took them the first stage of their journey, and brought its master back to Longbourn.

Then after a short silence he continued:

“And Lydia used to want to go to London,”added Kitty.

They were interrupted by Miss Bennet,who came to fetch her mother's tea.

“You go to Brighton. I would not trust you so near it as Eastbourne for fifty pounds!No,Kitty,I have at last learnt to be cautious,and you will feel the effects of it.No officer is ever to enter into my house again,nor even to pass through the village. Balls will be absolutely prohibited,unless you stand up with one of your sisters.And you are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner.”

“Yes;where else can they be so well concealed?”

“You must not be too severe upon yourself,”replied Elizabeth.“You may well warn me against such an evil.Human nature is so prone to fall into it!No,Lizzy,let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame.I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression.It will pass away soon enough.”