Page:Austen - Pride and Prejudice, third edition, 1817.djvu/484

 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 they are discovered, I have seen them both—"

"Then it is as I always hoped," cried Jane; "they are married!"

Elizabeth read on; "I have seen them both. They are not married, nor can I find there was 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 to 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 every thing, 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