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Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be

married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and

even if he could form such a design against a young woman of

Lydia's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose her so

lost to everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that

Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage: he

shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W.

was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and

keeps her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better, but

this is not to be expected; and as to my father, I never in my

life saw him so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having

concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence,

one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have

been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as

the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return?