Chapter 49 289
" Take whatever you like , and get away ."
Elizabeth took the letter from his writing-table , and they went upstairs together . Mary and Kitty were both with Mrs . Bennet : one communication would , therefore , do for all . After a slight preparation for good news , the letter was read aloud . Mrs . Bennet could hardly contain herself . As soon as Jane had read Mr . Gardiner ' s hope of Lydia ' s being soon married , her joy burst forth , and every following sentence added to its exuberance . She was now in an irritation as violent from delight , as she had ever been fidgety from alarm and vexation . To know that her daughter would be married was enough . She was disturbed by no fear for her felicity , nor humbled by any remembrance of her misconduct .
" My dear , dear Lydia !" she cried . " This is delightful indeed ! She will be married ! I shall see her again ! She will be married at sixteen ! My good , kind brother ! I knew how it would be . I knew he would manage everything ! How I long to see her ! and to see dear Wickham too ! But the clothes , the wedding clothes ! I will write to my sister Gardiner about them directly . Lizzy , my dear , run down to your father , and ask him how much he will give her . Stay , stay , I will go myself . Ring the bell , Kitty , for Hill . I will put on my things in a moment . My dear , dear Lydia ! How merry we shall be together when we meet !"
Her eldest daughter endeavoured to give some relief to the violence of these transports , by leading her thoughts to the obligations which Mr . Gardiner ' s behaviour laid them all under .
" For we must attribute this happy conclusion ," she added , " in a great measure to his kindness . We are persuaded that he has pledged himself to assist Mr . Wickham with money ."
" Well ," cried her mother , " it is all very right ; who should do it but her own uncle ? If he had not had a family of his own , I and my children must have had all his money , you know ; and it is the first time we have ever had anything from him , except a few presents . Well ! I am so happy ! In a short time I shall have a daughter married . Mrs . Wickham ! How well it sounds !