MR. BENNET.

That is what I should like to know.

ELIZABETH.

Well, my uncle's kindness can never be requited. If such goodness as his does not make Lydia miserable, then she will never deserve to be happy.

[_Laughter and voices are heard outside._]

ELIZABETH.

Surely I hear voices. [_Looking off._] Why, they have come. See papa--Jane--there are Lydia and Wickham.

MR. BENNET.

Yes, here they are. I will go to the library. I can receive their congratulations later. You know I am prodigiously fond of Wickham, Lizzy. I defy even Sir William Lucas himself to produce a more valuable son-in-law.

[_He goes out._]

JANE.

I must run and tell mamma.

[_She is just starting when_ WICKHAM _and_ LYDIA _enter. They are in travelling dress and are followed by servants bringing all sorts of bandboxes, wraps and parcels. They come in with the utmost unconcern and no shadow of shame._]

LYDIA.

Well, Jane, well, Lizzy, here we are!

WICKHAM.

[_Smiling and unabashed._] My sister, Jane--My sister Elizabeth.

[_He kisses their hands._ JANE _and_ ELIZABETH _are confused and blushing. Neither_ WICKHAM _nor_ LYDIA _is in the least discomposed_.]

LYDIA.

[_Looking about._] Good gracious! Here I am again! I am sure I had no idea of being married when I went away, though I thought it would be very good fun if I was. Why don't you take the boxes in, Harris?

Wickham, have you seen my pink-flowered bandbox? [_Looking over the parcels._] No, it isn't here. Oh, my dear Wickham, do go fetch it--you know 'tis the box with the white satin hat you bought me. I wouldn't lose it for the world. Go, go!

WICKHAM.

Certainly, my dear. [_To the girls._] You see how eagerly I embrace my new opportunities!

[_He runs out, laughing._]

LYDIA.

[_To_ ELIZABETH _and_ JANE.] Oh, girls, I am dying to give you an account of my wedding.

ELIZABETH.

I think there cannot be too little said on that subject.

LYDIA.

La, you are so strange. But Jane wants to hear, I know. Anyway, I want to tell you. Well, there was such a fuss! My aunt was preaching and talking away to me all the time I was dressing, just as if she was reading a sermon. I didn't hear one word in ten of it all. I was thinking of my dear Wickham. I longed to know whether he would be married in his blue coat. Well, we got to church, and then my uncle gave me a fright after we got there, because he was so late, and he was going to give me away, you know. But then, if he hadn't come, Mr. Darcy might have done as well.

JANE AND ELIZABETH.

Mr. Darcy!

LYDIA.

Oh, yes, Darcy was there. He came along with Wickham. [_Suddenly stopping._] But gracious me! I quite forgot. I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised them as faithfully--what will Wickham say? It was to be such a secret.

JANE.

If it was to be a secret, Lydia, say not another word on the subject. We shall ask you no questions.

[ELIZABETH _looks most anxious, but says nothing_.]

LYDIA.

Thank you--for if you did, I should certainly tell you all, and then Wickham would be angry. [_She sees_ MRS. BENNET, _who enters in great excitement from the house_.] Oh, there is mamma.

[_They rush into each other's arms._ WICKHAM _returns at about the same time_.]

MRS. BENNET.

Oh, my dear, dear Lydia! [_To_ WICKHAM _with affectionate warmth_.] My dear Wickham!

[_They also embrace._]