Elizabeth, returning to her lodgings, found Lydia's letter on the table. She opened it with some trepidation, for her sister's communications were generally very lively, and very little to the purpose.
"My dearest Lizzy," she began, "I hope you are well, for I am in great haste to know what you think of the matter. My mother is to be in town at last! I have heard from Kitty that Mama has been thinking of you, and that she means to be with us in a few days. I am so glad, for I have been very dull all the winter. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day. I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My dearest Lizzy, you must be very gay. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day."
Elizabeth read on, with increasing astonishment. Her mother's health, her father's, her own, were all the subject of the most anxious inquiry. She wrote of Mr. Wickham with the highest encomiums, and dwelt on the particulars of his situation with a warmth of attachment which made Elizabeth's heart ache. She had been writing, it seemed, for some time, but had not had courage to send her letter.
"I have been very unhappy," she continued, "and have been very ill, but I am now much better. I am very well, and I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day. I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My dearest Lizzy, you must be very gay. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day. My dearest Lizzy, you must be very gay. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull."
Elizabeth concluded the letter with a mixture of relief and apprehension. She was glad to find that her mother's health was not worse, but she could not help feeling uneasy at the prospect of a visit from her, especially at such a time. She knew her mother's fondness for gaiety, and she feared that her presence would only increase her own anxiety.
"My dearest Lizzy," she resumed, "I have not had any sleep these two nights, and I am very weary. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day. I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My dearest Lizzy, you must be very gay. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day."
Her mother's letter was so full of expressions of regard and solicitude that Elizabeth could not but feel her affection. She wished that she could have had more comfort from her mother, but she knew that her mother would not be satisfied with her, and that she would make her uneasy.
"My dearest Lizzy," she concluded, "I have been very unhappy, and have been very ill, but I am now much better. I am very well, and I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull. I hope you will come and see me as soon as possible. I have been asking for you every day. I am very sorry to hear that you have been in low spirits. My dearest Lizzy, you must be very gay. My spirits are quite low, and I am so tired of being dull."