Darcy's Trial Read Online Free Page A

the wedding.
    ‘It was at St Clement’s, you know, because Wickham was lodged there. We had to arrive on the Monday at eleven, and my aunt accompanied me in the carriage and kept telling me how I should behave, but I heard not one word in ten because I was thinking of my dear Wickham and whether he would be wearing his blue coat. And before that, I was worried that the wedding might not happen at all, for my uncle, who was to give me away, was called away on business, and we had the church only for the hour. But luckily he came back ten minutes later and we set out in time. However, I thought afterwards that the wedding could have proceeded anyway, for Mr Darcy might have done as well.’
    ‘Mr Darcy!’ repeated Elizabeth in amazement.
    ‘Oh yes, he came with Wickham, you know. But oh Lord, I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. They made me promise so faithfully!’
    ‘Then I had better forget you told me, and we will think no more of it,’ Elizabeth said.
    However, for the rest of the evening Elizabeth could think of little else. She wondered whether to inform her father, but having given her word to Lydia, decided on reflection that it would be better to seek further information. Accordingly, she sat down and penned a quick note to her aunt.
    Almost by return, Elizabeth had the satisfaction of receiving a reply, comprising two sheets closely written as follows:
Gracechurch Street
    My Dear Niece,
    I am relieved to have the opportunity to inform at least one member of your family what has happened, but please let this go no further than yourself, or Jane at most.
    On the very evening of his return, Mr Gardiner was visited by Mr Darcy, who had obtained his name and address from Colonel Forster. After introducing himself, Mr Darcy explained that he had heard of Lydia’s plight through his aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and from his knowledge of Wickham’s friends, in particular a certain Mrs Younge, had managed to locate the couple and interview them separately. Lydia, he discovered, had no wish to leave, and was naively certain that they would marry sooner or later. Wickham, of course, refused to consider any such tie without financial inducement. Having negotiated a settlement, Mr Darcy wished to consult your uncle, whom he felt more able to approach than your father.
    While obviously gladdened by this development, your uncle was hard pressed to understand why Mr Darcy should go to such trouble on our behalf. Mr Darcy responded that it was through his own pride, his own embarrassment over his youthful friendship with Wickham, and their subsequent dealings, that he had allowed Wickham to ingratiate himself with your family, and others in the neighbourhood, without publicising his true character. The fault was his; thus so must the remedy be. Over the following days, after my return, we begged him again and again to allow us to share the burden, or at least to tell you to whom we were indebted; but he would have none of it. At length your uncle was forced to give in, and we were left in the uncomfortable position of taking all the credit for the settlement, while bearing none of the cost.
    Please understand, Lizzy, that despite Mr Darcy’s stubbornness, your uncle would never have relented had we not suspected another motive . I can only guess what this motive might have been, but since (or so I am informed) you were often in Mr Darcy’s company during your stay at Rosings, you may have insights into this enigma that are not available to me.
    Be that as it may, the settlement was duly implemented, and the couple wed. I cannot favour you with an exact figure, but with Wickham’s debts paid, his commission purchased, and who knows what else, the expense must have been considerable—and all at Mr Darcy’s account.
    The children have been awaiting a bedtime story for the last half-hour, so I must close now, with our best wishes as always.
    Yours very sincerely,
M. Gardiner
    In trembling shock,