Chapter 48 280
I must have been involved in all your sorrow and disgrace . Let me then advise you , dear sir , to console yourself as much as possible , to throw off your unworthy child from your affection for ever , and leave her to reap the fruits of her own heinous offense .
" I am , dear sir , etc ., etc ."
Mr . Gardiner did not write again till he had received an answer from Colonel Forster ; and then he had nothing of a pleasant nature to send . It was not known that Wickham had a single relationship with whom he kept up any connection , and it was certain that he had no near one living . His former acquaintances had been numerous ; but since he had been in the militia , it did not appear that he was on terms of particular friendship with any of them . There was no one , therefore , who could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him . And in the wretched state of his own finances , there was a very powerful motive for secrecy , in addition to his fear of discovery by Lydia ' s relations , for it had just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind him to a very considerable amount . Colonel Forster believed that more than a thousand pounds would be necessary to clear his expenses at Brighton . He owed a good deal in town , but his debts of honour were still more formidable . Mr . Gardiner did not attempt to conceal these particulars from the Longbourn family . Jane heard them with horror . " A gamester !" she cried . " This is wholly unexpected . I had not an idea of it ."
Mr . Gardiner added in his letter , that they might expect to see their father at home on the following day , which was Saturday . Rendered spiritless by the ill-success of all their endeavours , he had yielded to his brother-in-law ' s entreaty that he would return to his family , and leave it to him to do whatever occasion might suggest to be advisable for continuing their pursuit . When Mrs . Bennet was told of this , she did not express so much satisfaction as her children expected , considering what her anxiety for his life had been before .
" What , is he coming home , and without poor Lydia ?" she cried . " Sure he will not leave London before he has found them . Who is to fight Wickham ,