Chapter 53

           Mr.Wickhamwassoperfectlysatisfiedwiththisconversationthatheneveragaindistressedhimself,orprovokedhisdearsisterElizabeth,byintroducingthesubjectofit; andshewaspleasedtofindthatshehadsaidenoughtokeephimquiet. 

           ThedayofhisandLydia’sdeparturesooncame,andMrs.Bennetwasforcedtosubmittoaseparation,which,asherhusbandbynomeansenteredintoherschemeoftheirallgoingtoNewcastle,waslikelytocontinueatleastatwelvemonth. 

           "Oh!mydearLydia,"shecried,"whenshallwemeetagain?" 

           "Oh,lord!Idon’tknow. Notthesetwoorthreeyears,perhaps." 

           "Writetomeveryoften,mydear." 

           "AsoftenasIcan. Butyouknowmarriedwomenhavenevermuchtimeforwriting. Mysistersmaywritetome. Theywillhavenothingelsetodo." 

           Mr.Wickham’sadieusweremuchmoreaffectionatethanhiswife’s. Hesmiled,lookedhandsome,andsaidmanyprettythings. 

           "Heisasfineafellow,"saidMr.Bennet,assoonastheywereoutofthehouse,"aseverIsaw. Hesimpers,andsmirks,andmakeslovetousall. Iamprodigiouslyproudofhim. IdefyevenSirWilliamLucashimselftoproduceamorevaluableson-in-law." 

           ThelossofherdaughtermadeMrs.Bennetverydullforseveraldays. 

           "Ioftenthink,"saidshe,"thatthereisnothingsobadaspartingwithone’sfriends. Oneseemssoforlornwithoutthem."