Chapter 47 274
" Perhaps it would have been better ," replied her sister . " But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were , seemed unjustifiable . We acted with the best intentions ."
" Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia ' s note to his wife ?" " He brought it with him for us to see ."
Jane then took it from her pocket-book , and gave it to Elizabeth . These were the contents :
" MY DEAR HARRIET ,
" You will laugh when you know where I am gone , and I cannot help laughing myself at your surprise to-morrow morning , as soon as I am missed . I am going to Gretna Green , and if you cannot guess with who , I shall think you a simpleton , for there is but one man in the world I love , and he is an angel . I should never be happy without him , so think it no harm to be off . You need not send them word at Longbourn of my going , if you do not like it , for it will make the surprise the greater , when I write to them and sign my name ' Lydia Wickham .' What a good joke it will be ! I can hardly write for laughing . Pray make my excuses to Pratt for not keeping my engagement , and dancing with him to-night . Tell him I hope he will excuse me when he knows all ; and tell him I will dance with him at the next ball we meet , with great pleasure . I shall send for my clothes when I get to Longbourn ; but I wish you would tell Sally to mend a great slit in my worked muslin gown before they are packed up . Good-bye . Give my love to Colonel Forster . I hope you will drink to our good journey .
" Your affectionate friend , " LYDIA BENNET ."
" Oh ! thoughtless , thoughtless Lydia !" cried Elizabeth when she had finished it . " What a letter is this , to be written at such a moment ! But at least it shows that she was serious on the subject of their journey . Whatever