Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 39

It was the second week in May, in which the three young ladies

set out together from Gracechurch Street for the town of ----,

in Hertfordshire; and, as they drew near the appointed inn where

Mr. Bennet's carriage was to meet them, they quickly perceived,

in token of the coachman's punctuality, both Kitty and Lydia

looking out of a dining-room upstairs. These two girls had been

above an hour in the place, happily employed in visiting an

opposite milliner, watching the sentinel on guard, and dressing a

salad and cucumber.

After welcoming their sisters, they triumphantly displayed a table

set out with such cold meat as an inn larder usually affords,

exclaiming, "Is not this nice? Is not this an agreeable surprise?"

"And we mean to treat you all," added Lydia, "but you must lend

us the money, for we have just spent ours at the shop out there."

Then, showing her purchases--"Look here, I have bought this bonnet.

I do not think it is very pretty; but I thought I might as well

buy it as not. I shall pull it to pieces as soon as I get home,

and see if I can make it up any better."

And when her sisters abused it as ugly, she added, with perfect

unconcern, "Oh! but there were two or three much uglier in the

shop; and when I have bought some prettier-coloured satin to

trim it with fresh, I think it will be very tolerable. Besides,

it will not much signify what one wears this summer, after the

----shire have left Meryton, and they are going in a fortnight."

"Are they indeed!" cried Elizabeth, with the greatest satisfaction.

"They are going to be encamped near Brighton; and I do so

want papa to take us all there for the summer! It would be such

a delicious scheme; and I dare say would hardly cost anything at

all. Mamma would like to go too of all things! Only think what

a miserable summer else we shall have!"

"Yes," thought Elizabeth, "_that_ would be a delightful scheme

indeed, and completely do for us at once. Good Heaven!

Brighton, and a whole campful of soldiers, to us, who have been

overset already by one poor regiment of militia, and the monthly

balls of Meryton!"

"Now I have got some news for you," said Lydia, as they sat down

at table. "What do you think? It is excellent news--capital

news--and about a certain person we all like!"

Jane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and the waiter was told

he need not stay. Lydia laughed, and said: