With such kinds of histories of their parties and good jokes,did Lydia,assisted by Kitty's hints and additions,endeavour to amuse her companions all the way to Longbourn. Elizabeth listened as little as she could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham's name.
To this Mary very gravely replied,“Far be it from me,my dear sister, to depreciate such pleasures!They would doubtless be congenial with the generality of female minds.But I confess they would have no charms for me―I should infinitely prefer a book.”
“I am glad you are come back,Lizzy.”
Their reception at home was most kind.Mrs.Bennet rejoiced to see Jane in undiminished beauty;and more than once during dinner did Mr.Bennet say voluntarily to Elizabeth:
She had not been many hours at home before she found that the Brighton scheme,of which Lydia had given them a hint at the inn,was under frequent discussion between her parents.Elizabeth saw directly that her father had not the smallest intention of yielding; but his answers were at the same time so vague and equivocal,that her mother,though often disheartened,had never yet despaired of succeeding at last.
“Oh!Mary,”said she,“I wish you had gone with us,for we had such fun!As we went along,Kitty and I drew up the blinds,and pretended there was nobody in the coach;and I should have gone so all the way,if Kitty had not been sick;and when we got to the George,I do think we behaved very handsomely,for we treated the other three with the nicest cold luncheon in the world,and if you would have gone,we would have treated you too.And then when we came away it was such fun!I thought we never should have got into the coach.I was ready to die of laughter.And then we were so merry all the way home! we talked and laughed so loud,that anybody might have heard us ten miles off!”