صفحة 638 من 817

"Yes, yes, they must marry. There is nothing else to be done. But

there are two things that I want very much to know:--one is, how

much money your uncle has laid down to bring it about; and the

other, how I am ever to pay him."

"Money! my uncle!" cried Jane, "what do you mean, sir?"

"I mean that no man in his proper senses would marry Lydia on so

slight a temptation as one hundred a year during my life, and

fifty after I am gone."

"That is very true," said Elizabeth; "though it had not occurred

to me before. His debts to be discharged, and something still to

remain! Oh, it must be my uncle's doings! Generous, good man, I

am afraid he has distressed himself. A small sum could not do all

this."

"No," said her father. "Wickham's a fool if he takes her with a

farthing less than ten thousand pounds: I should be sorry to

think so ill of him, in the very beginning of our relationship."

"Ten thousand pounds! Heaven forbid! How is half such a sum to be

repaid?"