Pagina 667 van 817

It was not to be supposed that time would give Lydia that

embarrassment from which she had been so wholly free at first.

Her ease and good spirits increased. She longed to see Mrs.

Philips, the Lucases, and all their other neighbours, and to hear

herself called "Mrs. Wickham" by each of them; and in the

meantime she went after dinner to show her ring and boast of

being married to Mrs. Hill and the two housemaids.

"Well, mamma," said she, when they were all returned to the

breakfast-room, "and what do you think of my husband? Is not he a

charming man? I am sure my sisters must all envy me. I only hope

they may have half my good luck. They must all go to Brighton.

That is the place to get husbands. What a pity it is, mamma, we

did not all go!"

"Very true; and if I had my will we should. But, my dear Lydia, I

don't at all like your going such a way off. Must it be so?"