Chapter 51 299
neighbours , and to hear herself called " Mrs . Wickham " by each of them ; and in the mean time , she went after dinner to show her ring , and boast of being married , to Mrs . Hill and the two housemaids .
" Well , mamma ," said she , when they were all returned to the breakfast room , " and what do you think of my husband ? Is not he a charming man ? I am sure my sisters must all envy me . I only hope they may have half my good luck . They must all go to Brighton . That is the place to get husbands . What a pity it is , mamma , we did not all go ."
" Very true ; and if I had my will , we should . But my dear Lydia , I don ' t at all like your going such a way off . Must it be so ?"
" Oh , lord ! yes ; --there is nothing in that . I shall like it of all things . You and papa , and my sisters , must come down and see us . We shall be at Newcastle all the winter , and I dare say there will be some balls , and I will take care to get good partners for them all ."
" I should like it beyond anything !" said her mother .
" And then when you go away , you may leave one or two of my sisters behind you ; and I dare say I shall get husbands for them before the winter is over ."
" I thank you for my share of the favour ," said Elizabeth ; " but I do not particularly like your way of getting husbands ."
Their visitors were not to remain above ten days with them . Mr . Wickham had received his commission before he left London , and he was to join his regiment at the end of a fortnight .
No one but Mrs . Bennet regretted that their stay would be so short ; and she made the most of the time by visiting about with her daughter , and having very frequent parties at home . These parties were acceptable to all ; to avoid a family circle was even more desirable to such as did think , than such as did not .