第119章[第3页/共5页]

“They met several times,for there was much to be discussed. Wickham of course wanted more than he could get;but at length was reduced to be reasonable.

Gracechurch street,Sept.6.

Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving an answer to her letter as soon as she possibly could. She was no sooner in possession of it,than hurrying into the little copse,where she was least likely to be interrupted,she sat down on one of the benches and prepared to be happy;for the length of the letter convinced her that it did not contain a denial.

“On Saturday he came again.Your father was gone,your uncle at home,and,as I said before,they had a great deal of talk together.

“Mr. Darcy asked him why he had not married your sister at once.Though Mr.Bennet was not imagined to be very rich,he would have been able to do something for him,and his situation must have been benefited by marriage.But he found,in reply to this question, that Wickham still cherished the hope of more effectually making his fortune by marriage in some other country. Under such circumstances,however,he was not likely to be proof against the temptation of immediate relief.