Chapter 47 271
Gracechurch Street ; and then we may consult together as to what is to be done ."
" Oh ! my dear brother ," replied Mrs . Bennet , " that is exactly what I could most wish for . And now do , when you get to town , find them out , wherever they may be ; and if they are not married already , make them marry . And as for wedding clothes , do not let them wait for that , but tell Lydia she shall have as much money as she chooses to buy them , after they are married . And , above all , keep Mr . Bennet from fighting . Tell him what a dreadful state I am in , that I am frighted out of my wits--and have such tremblings , such flutterings , all over me--such spasms in my side and pains in my head , and such beatings at heart , that I can get no rest by night nor by day . And tell my dear Lydia not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me , for she does not know which are the best warehouses . Oh , brother , how kind you are ! I know you will contrive it all ."
But Mr . Gardiner , though he assured her again of his earnest endeavours in the cause , could not avoid recommending moderation to her , as well in her hopes as her fear ; and after talking with her in this manner till dinner was on the table , they all left her to vent all her feelings on the housekeeper , who attended in the absence of her daughters .
Though her brother and sister were persuaded that there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the family , they did not attempt to oppose it , for they knew that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue before the servants , while they waited at table , and judged it better that one only of the household , and the one whom they could most trust should comprehend all her fears and solicitude on the subject .
In the dining-room they were soon joined by Mary and Kitty , who had been too busily engaged in their separate apartments to make their appearance before . One came from her books , and the other from her toilette . The faces of both , however , were tolerably calm ; and no change was visible in either , except that the loss of her favourite sister , or the anger which she had herself incurred in this business , had given more of fretfulness than usual to the accents of Kitty . As for Mary , she was mistress enough of herself to