Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 450 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 450

JANE AUSTEN

dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W. never

intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which

was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the

alarm, set off from B. intending to trace their route. He

did trace them easily to Clapham, but no further; for

on entering that place, they removed into a hackney

coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from

Epsom. All that is known after this is, that they were

seen to continue the London road. I know not what

to think. After making every possible inquiry on that

side London, Colonel F. came on into Hertfordshire,

anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes, and

at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any

successno such people had been seen to pass through.

With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn,

and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most

creditable to his heart. I am sincerely grieved for him

and Mrs. F., but no one can throw any blame on them.

Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and

mother believe the worst, but I cannot think so ill of

him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible

for them to be married privately in town than to pursue

their first plan; and even if he could form such a design

against a young woman of Lydia’s connections, which

is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to everything?

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