Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 472 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 472

JANE AUSTEN

she chooses to buy them, after they are married. And,

above all, keep Mr. Bennet from fighting. Tell him what

a dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my

witsand have such tremblings, such flutterings, all

over mesuch spasms in my side and pains in my head,

and such beatings at heart, that I can get no rest by

night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not to give

any directions about her clothes till she has seen me,

for she does not know which are the best warehouses.

Oh, brother, how kind you are! I know you will contrive

it all.”

But Mr. Gardiner, though he assured her again of

his earnest endeavours in the cause, could not avoid

recommending moderation to her, as well in her hopes

as her fears; and after talking with her in this manner

till dinner was on the table, they all left her to vent all

her feelings on the housekeeper, who attended in the

absence of her daughters.

Though her brother and sister were persuaded that

there was no real occasion for such a seclusion from the

family, they did not attempt to oppose it, for they knew

that she had not prudence enough to hold her tongue

before the servants, while they waited at table, and

judged it better that one only of the household, and the

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