Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 487 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 487

Pride and Prejudice

nothing of a pleasant nature to send. It was not known

that Wickham had a single relation with whom he kept

up any connection, and it was certain that he had no

near one living. His former acquaintances had been

numerous; but since he had been in the militia, it did

not appear that he was on terms of particular friendship

with any of them. There was no one, therefore, who

could be pointed out as likely to give any news of him.

And in the wretched state of his own finances, there

was a very powerful motive for secrecy, in addition

to his fear of discovery by Lydia’s relations, for it had

just transpired that he had left gaming debts behind

him to a very considerable amount. Colonel Forster

believed that more than a thousand pounds would be

necessary to clear his expenses at Brighton. He owed

a good deal in town, but his debts of honour were

still more formidable. Mr. Gardiner did not attempt to

conceal these particulars from the Longbourn family.

Jane heard them with horror. “A gamester!” she cried.

“This is wholly unexpected. I had not an idea of it.”

Mr. Gardiner added in his letter, that they might

expect to see their father at home on the following

day, which was Saturday. Rendered spiritless by the

ill-success of all their endeavours, he had yielded to

his brother-in-law’s entreaty that he would return to

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