Chapter 49 285
" Well, and what news does it bring--good or bad?"
" What is there of good to be expected?" said he, taking the letter from his pocket. " But perhaps you would like to read it."
Elizabeth impatiently caught it from his hand. Jane now came up.
" Read it aloud," said their father, " for I hardly know myself what it is about."
" Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2. " MY DEAR BROTHER,
" At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope it will give you satisfaction. Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet; it is enough to know they are discovered. I have seen them both-- "
" Then it is as I always hoped," cried Jane; " they are married!" Elizabeth read on:
" I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there was any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is required of you is, to assure to your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand pounds secured among your children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham ' s circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed