صفحة 651 من 817

The good news quickly spread through the house; and with

proportionate speed through the neighbourhood. It was borne in

the latter with decent philosophy. To be sure, it would have been

more for the advantage of conversation, had Miss Lydia Bennet

come upon the town; or, as the happiest alternative, been

secluded from the world in some distant farm-house. But there was

much to be talked of, in marrying her; and the good-natured

wishes for her well-doing, which had proceeded before from all

the spiteful old ladies in Meryton, lost but little of their

spirit in this change of circumstances, because with such a

husband her misery was considered certain.