Pagina 708 van 817

"It is a long time, Mr. Bingley, since you went away," said Mrs.

Bennet.

He readily agreed to it.

"I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People did

say, you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but,

however, I hope it is not true. A great many changes have

happened in the neighbourhood since you went away. Miss Lucas is

married and settled: and one of my own daughters. I suppose you

have heard of it; indeed, you must have seen it in the papers. It

was in the 'Times' and the 'Courier,' I know; though it was not

put in as it ought to be. It was only said, 'Lately, George

Wickham, Esq., to Miss Lydia Bennet,' without there being a

syllable said of her father, or the place where she lived, or

anything. It was my brother Gardiner's drawing up, too, and I

wonder how he came to make such an awkward business of it. Did

you see it?"