6 Love and marriage

Chapter 6 Love & marriage At home, she found her mother continually crying upstairs, and her father a changed man. "I should have listened to you, Lizzy," he said. "You begged me to bring Lydia home again." "Don't be too hard on yourself," Lizzy said. "They may yet be found." "Well, your uncle is in London, looking for them, but I don't hold out much hope. Wickham will never marry her. She's too poor for him. And then she'll be ruined."

A week later, Jane and Lizzy were walking in the garden, when Kitty came running from the house. "A letter!" she cried. "A letter has come from Uncle Gardiner. Lydia and Wickham are to be married!" They found their father in the orchard. "Your uncle must have given Wickham a great deal of money to marry her. I don't know how I shall ever repay him. Mrs. Bennet leaped from her bed at the news, the shame of Lydia's actions instantly forgotten. "My dear, dear Lydia. To be married- at sixteen! How delightful."

When Lydia arrived home, arm in arm with her husband, she was the same Lydia -wild, noisy, unashamed. "You must all congratulate me," she said to her sisters, "for I am married and you are not, even though I am the youngest." "I am not sure we like your way of getting husbands," said Lizzy. "But it was such fun!" said Lydia. "Even though the Gardiners looked so stern at our wedding, just like Darcy-" "Darcy?" cried Lizzy. Lydia clapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh! I wasn't meant to tell you. He was there. He arranged it all!"

Lizzy felt her heart racing. Mr. Darcy had gone to town, searched for Lydia, saved her from ruin! Had he done it for her? She felt humbled at the thought, but knew she must think of him no more. Lydia and Wickham left for the north, where Wickham was to join a new regiment. Mrs. Bennet declared she felt flat now that Lydia had gone, until she heard the news that Mr. Bingley was coming back to Netherfeld... "It means nothing," said Jane. "I shall be able to meet him with perfect calmness." A few days later, he called. "Look," cried Kitty, watching him from the window. "He's brought his friend with him. That tall, proud man none of us liked."

Lizzy buried her head in her book. Jane looked a little paler than usual. Bingley entered, both embarrassed and pleased, and went immediately to Jane's side. Darcy barely spoke, and Lizzy saw he was once again proud and silent. Could I expect it to be otherwise! thought Lizzy. Yet why did he come? As soon as they had gone, Lizzy and Jane walked out together. "I am glad the first meeting is over," Jane said. "Now when we meet it will be only as acquaintances." "Oh Jane, take care," laughed Lizzy. "I think you are in danger of making him as much in love with you as ever." Bingley came again on Tuesday, and took his usual seat by Jane. Mrs. Bennet could not be more excited, continually plotting to leave Bingley and Jane alone together. At last, the moment arrived. He called, alone, Mr. Darcy having gone to town. One by one, Mrs. Bennet swept her other daughters from the room.

When Lizzy returned, Jane's face was aglow with smiles. "Oh! It's too much!" she cried. "Why can't everybody be this happy? We are to be married." Lizzy was delighted. "I congratulate you both," said Mr. Bennet, as the rest of the family joined them. "You are perfectly suited."