第112章[第1页/共5页]

“Yes,yes,they must marry.There is nothing else to be done.But there are two things that I want very much to know;one is,how much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about;and the other,how am I ever to pay him.”

“No;but it must be done soon.”

“Wickham is not so undeserving,then,as we thought him,”said her sister.“My dear father,I congratulate you.”

“What do you mean,Hill?We have heard nothing from town.”

“If you are looking for my master,ma'am,he is walking towards the little copse.”

“EDW.GARDINER.”

“And have you answered the letter?”cried Elizabeth.

Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand.Jane now came up.“Read it aloud,”said their father,“for I hardly know myself what it is about.”

“I mean,that no man in his proper senses would marry Lydia on so slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life,and fifty after I am gone.”

“Complied with!I am only ashamed of his asking so little.”

“Yes I have had a letter from him by express.”

And so saying,he turned back with them,and walked towards the house.

“Ten thousand pounds!Heaven forbid!How is half such a sum to be repaid?”

“What is there of good to be expected?”said he, taking the letter from his pocket.“But perhaps you would like to read it.”