“I hope not so. Imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me.”
“Jane,I congratulate you.You will be a very happy woman.”
In a few minutes she was joined by Bingley,whose conference with her father had been short and to the purpose.
“I must go instantly to my mother;”she cried.“I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude;or allow her to hear it from anyone but myself.He is gone to my father already. Oh!Lizzy,to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family!how shall I bear so much happiness!”
Jane went to him instantly,kissed him,and thanked him for his goodness.
Elizabeth, who was left by herself, now smiled at the rapidity and ease with which an affair was finally settled,that had given them so many previous months of suspense and vexation.
“With my mother upstairs. She will be down in a moment, I dare say.”
“And this,”said she,“is the end of all his friend's anxious circumspection!of all his sister's falsehood and contrivance!the happiest,wisest,most reasonable end!”
She then hastened away to her mother, who had purposely broken up the card party,and was sitting up stairs with Kitty.
“Where is your sister?”said he hastily,as he opened the door.