class="smcap">Charlotte Lucas come in gaily.]

All.

[Exclaiming.] Oh, Mr. Wickham!

Wickham.

[To Mrs. Bennet.] How do you do, Mrs. Bennet? This is indeed a pleasure. [Going over to Jane.] Miss Bennet, I am so glad to see you. [Reproachfully.] You were not with our party! [To Lydia.] Why do you never come to Meryton, Miss Lydia? Mr. Denny is quite downcast.

Lydia.

[Pouting.] La, Mr. Denny!

Wickham.

And many others beside him, Miss Lydia.

[Lydia giggles. Wickham returns to Mrs. Bennet.]

Mrs. Bennet.

Well, 'tis an age since we saw you, Mr. Wickham. What have you been doing?

Wickham.

Colonel Forster keeps me so busy that I have no time for enjoyment.

Elizabeth.

Yes, Mr. Wickham bears all the marks of an harassed and overworked man.

Wickham.

[Bowing to Elizabeth.] Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You have given me the very terms I needed. [To Mrs. Bennet.] You see before you, Mrs. Bennet, an harassed and overworked man. Miss Elizabeth will bear witness that I was on my way to a business appointment when I yielded to temptation and went off for a walk with her and Miss Lucas and their irreproachable escort.

Elizabeth.

And Miss Elizabeth will also testify that you yielded with the celerity and ease of long practice.

Wickham.

[Laughing; to Elizabeth.] But in this case who was the tempter?

Elizabeth.

Oh, I will admit that Mr. Collins was partially responsible.

[All laugh.]

Mrs. Bennet.

Come, Lizzy, you have been talking to Mr. Wickham all the morning. Now, let some of the rest of us have a chance. [Turning to Wickham.] You must stay to dinner, Mr. Wickham.

Wickham.

I wish I might. That is indeed a temptation. But you know Miss Elizabeth has just reminded me of my duty.

Mrs. Bennet.

Oh, nobody ever minds Lizzy!

Wickham.

Truly, I cannot to-day, Mrs. Bennet. It is too bad, but I am to meet Colonel Forster [Smiling at Elizabeth] on important business at the Drake Farm.

Mrs. Bennet.

Well, I am very sorry.

Wickham.

[Hesitatingly.] I might perhaps bring Colonel Forster in for a few moments on the way back—that is, if we return this way.

All.

Oh, yes, do.

Mrs. Bennet.

Yes, indeed. Tell Colonel Forster we should be delighted to see him.

Wickham.

Thank you, I will. But now I really must be gone. [Bowing brightly to Jane and Lydia.] Good morning.

[To Charlotte Lucas.] Good morning, Miss Lucas. You must let me hear more about those clever plans of