Jane,who was not so light nor so much in the habit of running as Elizabeth, soon lagged behind, while her sister, panting for breath,came up with him,and eagerly cried out:
“No;but it must be done soon.”
“Oh!my dear father,”she cried,“come back and write immediately. Consider how important every moment is in such a case.”
“I mean,that no man in his proper senses would marry Lydia on so slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life,and fifty after I am gone.”
“What do you mean,Hill?We have heard nothing from town.”
“And have you answered the letter?”cried Elizabeth.
Gracechurch Street,Monday,August 2.
Most earnestly did she then entreaty him to lose no more time before he wrote.
“At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as,upon the whole,I hope it will give you satisfaction.Soon after you left me on Saturday,I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they were.The particulars I reserve till we meet;it is enough to know they are discovered.I have seen them both―”
“No,”said her father;“Wickham's a fool if he takes her with a farthing less than ten thousand pounds.I should be sorry to think so ill of him,in the very beginning of our relationship.”