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Elizabeth was surprised, however, that Wickham should consent to

such a scheme; and, had she consulted only her own inclination,

any meeting with him would have been the last object of her

wishes.

]

CHAPTER LI.

Their sister's wedding-day arrived; and Jane and Elizabeth felt

for her probably more than she felt for herself. The carriage was

sent to meet them at----, and they were to return in it by

dinnertime. Their arrival was dreaded by the elder Miss

Bennets--and Jane more especially, who gave Lydia the feelings

which would have attended herself, had she been the culprit, and

was wretched in the thought of what her sister must endure.

They came. The family were assembled in the breakfast-room to

receive them. Smiles decked the face of Mrs. Bennet, as the

carriage drove up to the door; her husband looked impenetrably

grave; her daughters, alarmed, anxious, uneasy.