Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 451 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 451

Pride and Prejudice

Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is

not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook

his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared

W. was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is

really ill, and keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it

would be better; but this is not to be expected. And as to

my father, I never in my life saw him so affected. Poor

Kitty has anger for having concealed their attachment;

but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder.

I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared

something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the

first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your

return? I am not so selfish, however, as to press for it,

if inconvenient. Adieu! I take up my pen again to do

what I have just told you I would not; but circumstances

are such that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to

come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle

and aunt so well, that I am not afraid of requesting it,

though I have still something more to ask of the former.

My father is going to London with Colonel Forster

instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do I

am sure I know not; but his excessive distress will not

allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest

way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton

again to-morrow evening. In such an exigence, my

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