第82章[第2页/共3页]

“But I hope there is no strong attachment on either side,”said Jane.

“And Mary King is safe!”added Elizabeth;“safe from a connection imprudent as to fortune.”

“I am sure there is not on his. I will answer for it, he never cared three straws about her―who could about such a nasty little freckled thing?”

“And we mean to treat you all,”added Lydia,“but you must lend us the money,for we have just spent ours at the shop out there.”Then, showing her purchases―“Look here, I have bought this bonnet.I do not think it is very pretty;but I thought I might as well buy it as not.I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home, and see if I can make it up any better.”

Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other,and the waiter was told he need not stay.Lydia laughed,and said:

“Now I have got some news for you,”said Lydia, as they sat down at table.“What do you think?It is excellent news―capital news―and about a certain person we all like!”

Elizabeth was shocked to think that,however incapable of such coarseness of expression herself, the coarseness of the sentiment was little other than her own breast had harboured and fancied liberal!

“Aye,that is just like your formality and discretion.You thought the waiter must not hear,as if he cared!I dare say he often hears worse things said than I am going to say.But he is an ugly fellow! I am glad he is gone.I never saw such a long chin in my life.Well, but now for my news;it is about dear Wickham;too good for the waiter,is it not?There is no danger of Wickham's marrying Mary King.There's for you!She is gone down to her uncle at Liverpool:gone to stay.Wickham is safe.”