'Mr. Darcy!' repeated Elizabeth, in utter amazement.

'Oh, yes!--he was to come there with Wickham, you know. But
gracious me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. I
promised them so faithfully! What will Wickham say? It was to be
such a secret!'

'If it was to be secret,' said Jane, 'say not another word on the
subject. You may depend upon my seeking no further.'

'Oh! certainly,' said Elizabeth, though burning with curiosity; 'we
will ask you no questions.'

'Thank you,' said Lydia, 'for if you did, I should certainly tell you
all, and then Wickham would be angry.'

On such encouragement to ask, Elizabeth was forced to put it out
of her power, by running away.

But to live in ignorance on such a point was impossible; or at least
it was impossible not to try for information. Mr. Darcy had been at
her sister's wedding. It was exactly a scene, and exactly among
people, where he had apparently least to do, and least temptation to
go. Conjectures as to the meaning of it, rapid and wild, hurried into
her brain; but she was satisfied with none. Those that best pleased
her, as placing his conduct in the noblest light, seemed most improb-
able. She could not bear such suspense; and hastily seizing a sheet of
paper, wrote a short letter to her aunt, to request an explanation of
what Lydia had dropt, if it were compatible with the secrecy which
had been intended.

'You may readily comprehend,' she added, 'what my curiosity
must be to know how a person unconnected with any of us, and
(comparatively speaking) a stranger to our family, should have been
amongst you at such a time. Pray write instantly, and let me under-
stand it--unless it is, for very cogent reasons, to remain in the
secrecy which Lydia seems to think necessary; and then I must
endeavour to be satisfied with ignorance.'

'Not that I shall though,' she added to herself, as she finished the
letter; 'and my dear aunt, if you do not tell me in an honourable
manner, I shall certainly be reduced to tricks and stratagems to find
it out.'

Jane's delicate sense of honour would not allow her to speak to
Elizabeth privately of what Lydia had let fall; Elizabeth was glad of
it;--till it appeared whether her inquiries would receive any satisfac-
tion, she had rather be without a confidante.

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