August 9 – Ambleside, Lakes District

It is not the object of this work to give a description of the Lakes District. For the three travellers, one enjoyment was certain, that of suitability as companions – a suitability which comprehended health and temper to bear inconveniences, cheerfulness to enhance every pleasure and affection and intelligence, to deal with and compensate for such disappointments which might occur. Their carriage drew up to the Inn where accommodations for the night had been prearranged. Their intention was to travel on the morrow towards Derbyshire and the village of Lambton where Mrs. Gardiner had lived for much of her life before her marriage.

As they were conducted by the innkeeper to their rooms, he mentioned that several letters had arrived by express earlier in the day. He promised to have them sent up immediately. Since it was two hours until dinner they had thought to walk around the village. Once the letters were delivered, Elizabeth saw that they were both from Jane and that one had been poorly addressed such that it had been sent elsewhere. Her uncle and aunt, leaving her to read and enjoy the letters, decided to walk towards the church a short distance away. The mis-sent letter had been written five days ago. It began with a description of recent parties and engagements and other such news as the area would supply; but the latter half, which was dated a day later, and written in obvious agitation, gave more important intelligence. It was to this effect,

"Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you. Be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Lydia. An express came at twelve last night, just as we were all gone to bed, from colonel Forster, to inform us that she was gone off to Scotland with one of his officers; to own the truth, with Wickham! Imagine our surprise. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. So imprudent a match on both sides! But I am willing to hope the best, and that his character has been misunderstood. Thoughtless and indiscreet I can easily believe him, but this step (and let us rejoice over it) marks nothing bad at heart. His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing. Our poor mother is sadly grieved. My father bears it better. How thankful am I that we never let them know what has been said against him! We must forget it ourselves. They were off Saturday night about twelve, as is conjectured, but were not missed till yesterday morning at eight. The express was sent off directly. My dear Lizzy, they must passed within ten miles of us. Colonel Forster gives us reason to expect him here soon. Lydia left a few lines for his wife, informing her of their intention. I must conclude, for I cannot be long from my poor mother.i am afraid you will not be able to make it out, but I hardly know what I have written."

Without allowing herself time for consideration, and scarcely knowing what she felt, Elizabeth impatiently opened the second letter and read as follows. It had been written a day later than the conclusion of the first.

"By this time, my dearest sister, you have received my hurried letter. I wish this may be more intelligible; but though not confined for time, my head is so bewildered that I cannot answer for being coherent. Dearest Lizzy, I hardly know what I would write, but I have bad news for you, and it cannot be delayed. Imprudent as a marriage between Mr. Wickham and our poor Lydia would be, we are now anxious to be assured it has taken place, for there is too much reason to fear that they are not gone to Scotland. Colonel Forster came yesterday, having left Brighton the day before, not many hours after the express. Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs. F gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W. Never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F. who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B., intending to trace their route. He did trace them easily to Clapham, but no further; for on entering that place, they removed into a hackney coach, and dismissed the chaise that brought them from Epsom. All that is known after this is that they were seen to continue the London road.

I know not what to think. After making every possible inquiry on that side of London, Colonel F. came on to Hertfordshire, anxiously renewing them at all the turnpikes, and at the inns in Barnet and Hatfield, but without any success. No such people had been see to pass through. With the kindest concern he came on to Longbourn, and broke his apprehensions to us in a manner most creditable to his heart. I sincerely grieved for him and Mrs, F.; but no one can throw any blame on them. Our distress, my dear Lizzy, is very great. My father and mother believe the very worst, but it cannot think so very I'll of him. Many circumstances might make it more eligible for them to be married privately in town than to pursue their first plan; and even if he could form such a design against a young women of Lydia's connections, which is not likely, can I suppose her so lost to everything? Impossible! I grieve to find, however, that Colonel F. is not disposed to depend upon their marriage; he shook his head when I expressed my hopes, and said he feared W. was not a man to be trusted. My poor mother is really ill, and keeps to her room. Could she exert herself, it would be better, but this is not to be expected; and as to my father, I never in my life saw him to be so affected. Poor Kitty has anger for having concealed their attachment; but as it was a matter of confidence, one cannot wonder. I am truly glad, dearest Lizzy, that you have been spared something of these distressing scenes; but now, as the first shock is over, shall I own that I long for your return? I am not so selfish, however, as to press for it, if convenient. Adieu!

I take up my pen again to do what I have just told you I would not; but circumstances are such that I cannot help earnestly begging you all to come here as soon as possible. I know my dear uncle and aunt so well I am not afraid of requesting it, though I have still something more to ask of the former. My father is going to London with Colonel Forster instantly, to try to discover her. What he means to do, I am sure I know not; his excessive distress will not allow him to pursue any measure in the best and safest way, and Colonel Forster is obliged to be at Brighton again tomorrow evening. In such an exigences my uncle's advice would be everything in the world; he will immediately comprehend what I must feel, and I rely upon his goodness."

"Where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth darting from her seat to the door and, seeing a servant girl in the hall, called to her. "Please, I need someone to go and get my uncle and aunt – Gardiner is their name. They have walked down towards the church. They must return here with no delay. It is most urgent.

Upon receiving the servant's assent to fetch them, Elizabeth returned to her room, collapsing on the chair in tears. She was not sensible of how much time had lapsed before the Gardiners hurried back, alarmed that their niece had suddenly taken ill. Elizabeth was able to quickly alleviate their concerns on that regard, but reading them the two letters, they could not help but be very affected. Not only for Lydia, who had never been a favourite with them, but for all the family. Mr. Gardiner quickly promised his full and ready assistance. Elizabeth, expecting no less, expressed her gratitude. While they were desirous of leaving immediately, it was apparent that they could not make the nearest stopping point in the few hours of daylight remaining and so all preparations were made as to depart at first light on the morrow.

That evening after they finished their packing, they discussed the matter further. The Gardiners were inclined, at first, to lend some credence to Jane's belief in Wickham's willingness to enter into a marriage with Lydia. Mr. Gardiner expressed his thoughts as such "Having thought about this further, Lizzy, I am inclined to think as your sister does. I cannot suppose Wickham to be so lacking in character as to have designs upon a young women who is not wholly unprotected, who was not friendless, and was under the protection of the Colonel of his regiment. I am inclined to hope for the best. Would he risk losing his place in the regiment by not forming an attachment to her? Surely the risk is too great to behave in other than an honourable fashion?

"I believe him capable of the worst possible behaviour." cried Elizabeth. "He will act in the most mercenary fashion; and will not scruple to compromise Lydia with no regard for anything other than his own needs and well-being. Oh my poor, foolish Lydia, she is lost and ruined. I, who knew what Wickham was, did not reveal to the world his character. If I had, it is unlikely my father would have allowed Lydia to travel to Brighton."

Her aunt and uncle looked at each other in some confusion since Elizabeth's words seem to suggest a degree of knowledge not previously made known to them. Her aunt asked "Were you aware, Lizzy, of an attachment between Lydia and Wickham?"

"No, not at all. I saw some inclination towards him when he first arrived, but no more than the rest of us." Elizabeth blushed as she uttered these words, remembering her early familiarity with Wickham. "Lydia's attentions seemed to be directed to Lieutenant Denny in fact."

"Well, if that is the case, I really think you take too much upon yourself, Lizzy." Her uncle cautioned. "However, you appear to have recourse to more information regarding Wickham than is currently known to us. Could you enlighten us?"

"Surely it is still possible that they have gone to Scotland?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"Perhaps so. I hope it possible indeed but the fact that they were thought to be seen on the road to London, suggests that was the destination. As well there was no trace of them on the Barnet road."

"So then their destination is probably London . An odd choice for a couple with, I suspect, limited funds." replied Mr. Gardiner. "However it has the virtue of being an excellent place to remain undiscovered if such is Wickham's intent. But I ask again, Lizzy. You seem to know more about Wickham and his character than I previously been led to believe."

"I"…I have received some information in confidence while in Kent. I cannot provide details but Wickham has spread many lies about the Darcy family and the truth does not favour Mr. Wickham. I doubt not that he has accumulated debts of honour and is likely indebted to many tradesmen in Meryton. There may be other more serious misbehaviours but I cannot attest to them. His amiability has hidden a man of dissolute habits."

Her aunt and uncle looked increasingly distressed as Elizabeth spoke. Her aunt exclaimed "You expect Wickham to have no intention of marrying Lydia then?"

"Since it would have been imprudent for me to have formed an attachment for him given our respective poverty, why would it be less so for Lydia? Fortunately, I had no serious interest beyond simple friendship but Wickham must marry a women with a respectable fortune and neither Lydia or myself have such. Why else would he marry? How could he marry and support a wife? He cannot do either. It is altogether too horrible!"

Mrs. Gardiner hesitantly asked "Do you think Lydia so lost to everything but love of him as to consent to live with him on any condition other than marriage?"

Tears streaming from her eyes, Elizabeth replied. "I know not. I would hope not. I cannot wish to think so ill of a sister. It is shocking to harbour such thoughts indeed but her behaviour has been so wild, so ungovernable as to lead me to believe it very possible. She is so young, and has been allowed to spend her days in frivolous and idle activities to the exclusion of all else. No effort has been expended to control her behaviour in public and indeed she has been encouraged to think only of love, flirtation and officers. Her feelings are lively enough and she has been given free rein to exercise them. Her…susceptibility – for want of a better word – is such that she could be easy prey for such a man as Wickham who has the charm of address and person to captivate any women."

"But Jane does not appear to think so ill of him." replied Mr. Gardiner.

"Of whom does Jane ever think ill? She would be willing to excuse any behaviour until such time it has been absolutely proven against them. Indeed Jane knows the truth about Wickham as well as I do. We both know that he is profligate in every sense of the word, is without honour or integrity, and is as false and deceitful as he is insinuating."

With these dismal thoughts, they retired to bed in order to rise as early as possible and begin the return to Longbourn. The Gardiners talked quietly together about Elizabeth's surprising knowledge of Wickham. They became convinced that their niece was holding close some circumstance of a personal nature but knowing her reluctance to disclose her inner-most thoughts, they were inclined to not press her to reveal them. At least, not yet.

As Elizabeth sought repose, her final thoughts were on Mr. Darcy and how relieved he must feel when the news of the scandal attached to the Bennet name became public – because it would do so eventually – that he had not attached to such a family.