Lydia and Mary - An adaptation of Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 4

Upon entering the breakfast parlor, I saw a middle-aged woman, whom I supposed was their mother, reading something from a piece of paper – the letter, most probably.

'Gracechurch Street, Monday, August 2.' She read.

'My dear brother,                                                                                                                                                                    At last I am able to send you some tidings of my niece, and such as, upon the whole, I hope will give you satisfaction. Soon after you left me on Saturday, I was fortunate enough to find out in what part of London they were. The particulars I reserve till we meet. It is enough to know that they are discovered; I have seen them both...'

'Then it is as I always hoped,' A teenager with long blond hair which had been tied into a neat bun interjected; 'they are married!' I supposed that to be Jane, with her quiet and gentle mien and delicate features. The lady continued:

'I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find any intention of being so; but if you are willing to perform the engagements which I have ventured to make on your side, I hope it will not be long before they are. All that is required of you is to assure your daughter, by settlement, her equal share of the five thousand pounds secured among your children after the decease of yourself and my sister; and, moreover, to enter into an engagement of allowing her, during your life, one hundred pounds per annum. These are conditions which, considering everything, I had no hesitation in complying with, as far as I thought myself privileged, for you. I shall send this by express, that no time may be lost in bringing me your answer. You will easily comprehend, from these particulars, that Mr. Wickham's circumstances are not so hopeless as they are generally believed to be. The world has been deceived in that respect; and, I am happy to say, there will be some little money, even when all his debts are discharged, to settle on my niece, in addition to her own fortune. If, as I conclude will be the case, you send me full powers to act in your name throughout the whole of this business, I will immediately give directions to Haggerston for preparing a proper settlement. There will not be the smallest occasion for your coming to town again; therefore, stay quietly at Longbourn, and depend on my diligence and care. Send back your answer as soon as you can, and be careful to write explicitly. We have judged it best that my niece should be married from this house, of which I hope you will approve. She comes to us today. I shall write again as soon as anything more is determined on. Yours, &c. Edw. Gardiner.'

'But they can't get married!' I cried instinctively. 'Why ever not?' A teenager, who looked slightly older than the girl who had cut Mama off whilst she was reading Uncle Gardiner's letter to Papa, questioned me. This has to be Elizabeth, the eldest in the family. I thought.

'Can't you see?' I spat out; 'Mr. Wickham doesn't love Lydia. In fact, they had no intention to get married. Besides, he would not have agreed to marry Lydia, had Mr. Darcy not bribed him into doing so!' I felt infuriated, why didn't these Victorians seem to know that marriage should be for love and the benefit of both the man and the women, and not just to protect a family's reputation, or for some other senseless reasons, such as, to increase a family's wealth.

'Hush, Mary.' Elizabeth said, putting her hand to my forehead. 'Whatever are you talking about? Darcy bribing Wickham into marrying Lizzy? I think you're just feeling a little ill. Come 'on now, a nap should do you some good.' Having said so, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and ushered me up the stairs and into my room.