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