Page 479 of 817

But the gloom of Lydia's prospect was shortly cleared away; for

she received an invitation from Mrs. Forster, the wife of the

colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This

invaluable friend was a very young woman, and very lately

married. A resemblance in good-humour and good spirits had

recommended her and Lydia to each other, and out of their three

months' acquaintance they had been intimate two.

The rapture of Lydia on this occasion, her adoration of Mrs.

Forster, the delight of Mrs. Bennet, and the mortification of

Kitty, are scarcely to be described. Wholly inattentive to her

sister's feelings, Lydia flew about the house in restless

ecstasy, calling for everyone's congratulations, and laughing and

talking with more violence than ever; whilst the luckless Kitty

continued in the parlour repining at her fate in terms as

unreasonable as her accent was peevish.