第103章[第1页/共3页]

“I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence,nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay,but real,though unavailing concern.Would to Heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks.This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day.”

“My father has gone to London,and Jane has written to beg my uncle's immediate assistance;and we shall be off,I hope,in half-an-hour.But nothing can be done―I know very well that nothing can be done.How is such a man to be worked on?How are they even to be discovered?I have not the smallest hope.It is every way horrible!”

“And what has been done,what has been attempted,to recover her?”

“Oh, yes!They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London,but not beyond;they are certainly not gone to Scotland.”

“Oh,yes.Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy.Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible,I know it cannot be long.”

But self, though it would intrude, could not engross her. Lydia―the humiliation,the misery she was bringing on them all, soon swallowed up every private care;and covering her face with her handkerchief,Elizabeth was soon lost to everything else;and, after a pause of several minutes,was only recalled to a sense of her situation by the voice of her companion,who,in a manner which, though it spoke compassion,spoke likewise restraint,said,