Pagina 305 de 817

Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in

the visit.

"My father and Maria are to come to me in March," added

Charlotte, "and I hope you will consent to be of the party.

Indeed, Eliza, you will be as welcome to me as either of them."

The wedding took place: the bride and bridegroom set off for Kent

from the church door, and everybody had as much to say or to hear

on the subject as usual. Elizabeth soon heard from her friend,

and their correspondence was as regular and frequent as it ever

had been: that it should be equally unreserved was impossible.

Elizabeth could never address her without feeling that all the

comfort of intimacy was over; and, though determined not to

slacken as a correspondent, it was for the sake of what had been

rather than what was. Charlotte's first letters were received

with a good deal of eagerness: there could not but be curiosity

to know how she would speak of her new home, how she would like

Lady Catherine, and how happy she would dare pronounce herself to

be; though, when the letters were read, Elizabeth felt that

Charlotte expressed herself on every point exactly as she might

have foreseen.