Chapter 49 290
And she was only sixteen last June . My dear Jane , I am in such a flutter , that I am sure I can ' t write ; so I will dictate , and you write for me . We will settle with your father about the money afterwards ; but the things should be ordered immediately ."
She was then proceeding to all the particulars of calico , muslin , and cambric , and would shortly have dictated some very plentiful orders , had not Jane , though with some difficulty , persuaded her to wait till her father was at leisure to be consulted . One day ' s delay , she observed , would be of small importance ; and her mother was too happy to be quite so obstinate as usual . Other schemes , too , came into her head .
" I will go to Meryton ," said she , " as soon as I am dressed , and tell the good , good news to my sister Philips . And as I come back , I can call on Lady Lucas and Mrs . Long . Kitty , run down and order the carriage . An airing would do me a great deal of good , I am sure . Girls , can I do anything for you in Meryton ? Oh ! Here comes Hill ! My dear Hill , have you heard the good news ? Miss Lydia is going to be married ; and you shall all have a bowl of punch to make merry at her wedding ."
Mrs . Hill began instantly to express her joy . Elizabeth received her congratulations amongst the rest , and then , sick of this folly , took refuge in her own room , that she might think with freedom .
Poor Lydia ' s situation must , at best , be bad enough ; but that it was no worse , she had need to be thankful . She felt it so ; and though , in looking forward , neither rational happiness nor worldly prosperity could be justly expected for her sister , in looking back to what they had feared , only two hours ago , she felt all the advantages of what they had gained .