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"Oh! where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her

seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him,

without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she

reached the door, it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy

appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and

before he could recover himself enough to speak, she, in whose

mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily

exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find

Mr. Gardiner this moment on business that cannot be delayed; I

have not an instant to lose."

"Good God! what is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than

politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a

minute; but let me, or let the servant, go after Mr. and Mrs.

Gardiner. You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself."