Chapter L — Pride and Prejudice

After scandal is papered over, one parent counts the cost, another throws a party, and the clearest-eyed child realizes love arrived exactly when connection became impossible. Mr. Bennet wishes he had saved for his children instead of spending his whole income on the never-arriving son who would break the entail; Lydia's honour is now bought at Mr. Gardiner's expense, and he writes his consent with grateful brevity, glad the matter costs him scarcely ten pounds a year more.

News spreads; Mrs. Bennet reigns at table hunting houses for Lydia without shame. Mr. Bennet forbids the couple any home in the neighbourhood and refuses wedding clothes, until Jane and Elizabeth persuade him they must receive her after the ceremony for her own consequence. Elizabeth repents having told Mr. Darcy of the elopement now a marriage may hide the beginning; she sees an impassable gulf, imagines his triumph if he knew her spurned proposals would now be gratefully received, and comprehends at last that he was the man who would have suited her.

Mr. Gardiner writes again: Wickham leaves the militia for the Regulars in the north, creditors will be paid, Lydia wishes to visit Longbourn before she goes, and it is settled they shall come when married, though Elizabeth is surprised Wickham consents and dreads the meeting.