第143章[第1页/共5页]

With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms. Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.

“I wish you joy. If you love Mr. Darcy half as well as I do my dear Wickham,you must be very happy.It is a great comfort to have you so rich,and when you have nothing else to do,I hope you will think of us. I am sure Wickham would like a place at court very much,and I do not think we shall have quite money enough to live upon without some help.Any place would do,of about three or four hundred a year;but however,do not speak to Mr.Darcy about it,if you had rather not.

As for Wickham and Lydia,their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. He bore with philosophy the conviction that Elizabeth must now become acquainted with whatever of his ingratitude and falsehood had before been unknown to her;and in spite of every thing,was not wholly without hope that Darcy might yet be prevailed on to make his fortune.The congratulatory letter which Elizabeth received from Lydia on her marriage,explained to her that,by his wife at least,if not by himself,such a hope was cherished.The letter was to this effect: