Chapter 46 260
Elizabeth hesitated , but her knees trembled under her and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them . Calling back the servant , therefore , she commissioned him , though in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible , to fetch his master and mistress home instantly .
On his quitting the room she sat down , unable to support herself , and looking so miserably ill , that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her , or to refrain from saying , in a tone of gentleness and commiseration , " Let me call your maid . Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief ? A glass of wine ; shall I get you one ? You are very ill ."
" No , I thank you ," she replied , endeavouring to recover herself . " There is nothing the matter with me . I am quite well ; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn ."
She burst into tears as she alluded to it , and for a few minutes could not speak another word . Darcy , in wretched suspense , could only say something indistinctly of his concern , and observe her in compassionate silence . At length she spoke again . " I have just had a letter from Jane , with such dreadful news . It cannot be concealed from anyone . My younger sister has left all her friends--has eloped ; has thrown herself into the power of--of Mr . Wickham . They are gone off together from Brighton . You know him too well to doubt the rest . She has no money , no connections , nothing that can tempt him to--she is lost for ever ."
Darcy was fixed in astonishment . " When I consider ," she added in a yet more agitated voice , " that I might have prevented it ! I , who knew what he was . Had I but explained some part of it only--some part of what I learnt , to my own family ! Had his character been known , this could not have happened . But it is all--all too late now ."
" I am grieved indeed ," cried Darcy ; " grieved--shocked . But is it certain--absolutely certain ?"