rs. Jennings was eager for
information; but as Elinor wished to spread as little as possible
intelligence that had in the first place been so unfairly obtained,
she confined herself to the brief repetition of such simple
particulars, as she felt assured that Lucy, for the sake of her own
consequence, would choose to have known. The continuance of their
engagement, and the means that were able to be taken for promoting its
end, was all her communication; and this produced from Mrs. Jennings
the following natural remark:--

"Wait for his having a living!--ay, we all know how _that_ will
end:--they will wait a twelvemonth, and finding no good comes of it,
will set down upon a curacy of fifty pounds a-year, with the interest
of his two thousand pounds, and what little matter Mr. Steele and Mr.
Pratt can give her. Then they will have a child every year! and Lord
help 'em! how poor they will be!--I must see what I can give them
towards furnishing their house. Two maids and two men, indeed!--as I
talked of t'other day. No, no, they must get a stout girl of all
works. Betty's sister would never do for them _now._"

The next morning brought Elinor a letter by the two-penny post from
Lucy herself. It was as follows:

"Bartlett's Building, March.

"I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the liberty I take
of writing to her; but I know your friendship for me will
make you pleased to hear such a good account of myself and
my dear Edward, after all the troubles we have went through
lately, therefore will make no more apologies, but proceed
to say that, thank God! though we have suffered dreadfully,
we are both quite well now, and as happy as we must always
be in one another's love. We have had great trials, and
great persecutions, but however, at the same time,
gratefully acknowledge many friends, yourself not the least
among them, whose great kindness I shall always thankfully
remember, as will Edward too, who I have told of it. I am
sure you will be glad to hear, as likewise dear Mrs.
Jennings, I spent two happy hours with him yesterday
afternoon, he would not hear of our parting, though
earnestly did I, as I thought my duty required, urge him to
it for prudence sake, and would have parted for ever on the
spot, would he consent to it; but he said it should never
be, he did not regard his mother's anger, while he could
have m