Seite 478 von 817

Their affectionate mother shared all their grief; she remembered

what she had herself endured on a similar occasion

five-and-twenty years ago.

"I am sure," said she, "I cried for two days together when

Colonel Miller's regiment went away. I thought I should have

broke my heart."

"I am sure I shall break mine," said Lydia.

"If one could but go to Brighton!" observed Mrs. Bennet.

"Oh yes!--if one could but go to Brighton! But papa is so

disagreeable."

"A little sea-bathing would set me up for ever."

"And my aunt Philips is sure it would do me a great deal of

good," added Kitty.

Such were the kind of lamentations resounding perpetually through

Longbourn House. Elizabeth tried to be diverted by them; but all

sense of pleasure was lost in shame. She felt anew the justice of

Mr. Darcy's objections; and never had she before been so much

disposed to pardon his interference in the views of his friend.