Chapter 49 287
" And may I ask-- " said Elizabeth ; " but the terms , I suppose , must be complied with ."
" Complied with ! I am only ashamed of his asking so little ." " And they must marry ! Yet he is such a man !"
" Yes , yes , they must marry . There is nothing else to be done . But there are two things that I want very much to know ; one is , how much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about ; and the other , how am I ever to pay him ."
" Money ! My uncle !" cried Jane , " what do you mean , sir ?"
" I mean , that no man in his senses would marry Lydia on so slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life , and fifty after I am gone ."
" That is very true ," said Elizabeth ; " though it had not occurred to me before . His debts to be discharged , and something still to remain ! Oh ! it must be my uncle ' s doings ! Generous , good man , I am afraid he has distressed himself . A small sum could not do all this ."
" No ," said her father ; " Wickham ' s a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds . I should be sorry to think so ill of him , in the very beginning of our relationship ."
" Ten thousand pounds ! Heaven forbid ! How is half such a sum to be repaid ?"
Mr . Bennet made no answer , and each of them , deep in thought , continued silent till they reached the house . Their father then went on to the library to write , and the girls walked into the breakfast-room .
" And they are really to be married !" cried Elizabeth , as soon as they were by themselves . " How strange this is ! And for this we are to be thankful . That they should marry , small as is their chance of happiness , and wretched