The Gardiners stayed only one night at Longbourn, and set off the next morning with Elizabeth in pursuit of novelty and amusement. One enjoyment was certain―that of suitableness of companions; a suitableness which comprehended health and temper to bear inconveniences―cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure―and affection and intelligence, which might supply it among themselves if there were disappointments abroad.
After the first fortnight or three weeks of her absence,health, good humour,and cheerfulness began to reappear at Longbourn. Everything wore a happier aspect.The families who had been in town for the winter came back again,and summer finery and summer engagements arose. Mrs. Bennet was restored to her usual querulous serenity;and,by the middle of June,Kitty was so much recovered as to be able to enter Meryton without tears;an event of such happy promise as to make Elizabeth hope that by the following Christmas she might be so tolerably reasonable as not to mention an officer above once a day,unless,by some cruel and malicious arrangement at the War Office,another regiment should be quartered in Meryton.
“My love,should not you like to see a place of which you have heard so much?”said her aunt;“a place,too,with which so many of your acquaintances are connected.Wickham passed all his youth there,you know.”