Chapter 51

           Theirsister’sweddingdayarrived;andJaneandElizabethfeltforherprobablymorethanshefeltforherself. Thecarriagewassenttomeetthemat——andtheyweretoreturninitbydinner-time. TheirarrivalwasdreadedbytheelderMissBennets,andJanemoreespecially,whogaveLydiathefeelingswhichwouldhaveattendedherself,hadshebeentheculprit,andwaswretchedinthethoughtofwhathersistermustendure. 

           Theycame. Thefamilywereassembledinthebreakfastroomtoreceivethem. SmilesdeckedthefaceofMrs.Bennetasthecarriagedroveuptothedoor;herhusbandlookedimpenetrablygrave;herdaughters,alarmed,anxious,uneasy. 

           Lydia’svoicewasheardinthevestibule;thedoorwasthrownopen,andsheranintotheroom. Hermothersteppedforwards,embracedher,andwelcomedherwithrapture; gaveherhand,withanaffectionatesmile,toWickham,whofollowedhislady;andwishedthembothjoywithanalacritywhichshewednodoubtoftheirhappiness. 

           TheirreceptionfromMr.Bennet,towhomtheythenturned,wasnotquitesocordial. Hiscountenancerathergainedinausterity;andhescarcelyopenedhislips. Theeasyassuranceoftheyoungcouple,indeed,wasenoughtoprovokehim. Elizabethwasdisgusted,andevenMissBennetwasshocked. LydiawasLydiastill;untamed,unabashed,wild,noisy,andfearless. Sheturnedfromsistertosister,demandingtheircongratulations; andwhenatlengththeyallsatdown,lookedeagerlyroundtheroom,tooknoticeofsomelittlealterationinit,andobserved,withalaugh,thatitwasagreatwhilesinceshehadbeenthere.