Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 516 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 516

JANE AUSTEN

her with rapture; gave her hand, with an affectionate

smile, to Wickham, who followed his lady; and wished

them both joy with an alacrity which shewed no doubt

of their happiness.

Their reception from Mr. Bennet, to whom they

then turned, was not quite so cordial. His countenance

rather gained in austerity; and he scarcely opened his

lips. The easy assurance of the young couple, indeed,

was enough to provoke him. Elizabeth was disgusted,

and even Miss Bennet was shocked. Lydia was Lydia

still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless.

She turned from sister to sister, demanding their

congratulations; and when at length they all sat down,

looked eagerly round the room, took notice of some

little alteration in it, and observed, with a laugh, that it

was a great while since she had been there.

Wickham was not at all more distressed than herself,

but his manners were always so pleasing, that had

his character and his marriage been exactly what

they ought, his smiles and his easy address, while he

claimed their relationship, would have delighted them

all. Elizabeth had not before believed him quite equal

to such assurance; but she sat down, resolving within

herself to draw no limits in future to the impudence

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