第83章[第1页/共5页]

Their party in the dining-room was large, for almost all the Lucases came to meet Maria and hear the news; and various were the subjects that occupied them:Lady Lucas was inquiring of Maria, across the table, after the welfare and poultry of her eldest daughter;Mrs.Bennet was doubly engaged,on one hand collecting an account of the present fashions from Jane,who sat some way below her,and,on the other,retailing them all to the younger Miss Lucases; and Lydia, in a voice rather louder than any other person's,was enumerating the various pleasures of the morning to anybody who would hear her.

She had not been many hours at home before she found that the Brighton scheme,of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn,was under frequent discussion between her parents.Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal,that her mother,though often disheartened,had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.

Their reception at home was most kind.Mrs.Bennet rejoiced to see Jane in undiminished beauty;and more than once during dinner did Mr.Bennet say voluntarily to Elizabeth:

But of this answer Lydia heard not a word.She seldom listened to anybody for more than half a minute, and never attended to Mary at all.