Lydia Read Online Free PDF

that straightaway. I looked everywhere for him the moment I arrived. Every scarlet coat made my heart skip a beat, but then I saw Denny and he said Wickham had been called away on business. Naturally, I was devastated, because the entire purpose of my evening was to dance with Wickham, and yet if I am honest I was also a little relieved, because Lizzy looked really beautiful last night – far, far nicer than I. I don’t know how she does it – her dress was simpler than mine, and she had no flowers in her hair, and yet the way she carried herself, she looked like a queen, and made me feel like a common country girl. Even Mr. Darcy, who was so superior about her at the assembly ball, asked her to dance. It is much, much better that Wickham didn’t see her like that. It can’t be long now before Mr. Collins proposes. Mamma is quite convinced he will ask before he leaves, and Kitty says Lizzy cannot refuse, for if she accepts Mr. Collinsand Jane marries Bingley, we shall all be doubly saved when Father dies. And once she is engaged, Wickham will immediately like me instead.
    Every ball in the world should be like Netherfield. After last night, I don’t think I can set foot in the Meryton assembly rooms again. The Meryton rooms are always so crowded, the floorboards so dark, the ceilings so low, there is never enough air. By the end of an evening we are all sweat and red faces and everybody is panting like thirsty dogs. It was all very well before last night when I didn’t know any better. But now the very idea of those evenings is intolerable, because Netherfield – ah, Netherfield is all sparkling chandeliers and mirrors and light! The ballroom floor is the colour of honey, and even after hours of dancing the air was still sweet with the scent of lilies and roses. And the dresses! Such headdresses, such brightly coloured silks, such gauzy muslins and delicate lace and expensive jewels! At first, I did feel ashamed of my poor old gown. But then the dancing began, and I forgot all about it, for I knew more people than anyone, and even though none of the officers is half as handsome as Wickham, I danced with every one of them, even Colonel Forster. So what that my dress once belonged to Jane, and that my hair was not pinned in the latest fashion like Caroline Bingley’s, or my throat did not sparkle with fat diamonds like Mrs. Hurst’s! I was infinitely more popular than they. And the supper! The pastries and jellies and creams, the ices and sweetmeats, the pies and fowls and meat cakes and wines and ales! The London ladies picked and pecked and watched appalled as I ate everything .
    â€œI never saw a girl stuff herself so,” gasped Hateful Hurst. “Why, she will never dance again!”
    â€œThey will have to roll her out of here,” Conceited Caroline tittered.
    But then the orchestra started up another jig, and the players were from London, so infinitely better than our local musicians, and off I went until the final dance.
    How tired I am, suddenly! Perhaps I will sleep after all. Sleep, and dream of ball after glittering ball.
    Later . . .
    Mr. Collins has proposed to Lizzy! Kitty was in the breakfast room with them when Mamma made her leave, and she ran to fetch me to tell me it was starting. We tried to listen at the door, but Mamma shooed us away. Kitty, Mary and I sat waiting on the stairs while Mamma paced the vestibule, and it was a bit like last summer, when the roan mare was having her foal, and everyone waited outside the stable to be the first to see it, except this time we weren’t waiting to see an adorable baby animal, but for the promise of a roof over our heads.
    The breakfast-room door opened. Lizzy came out first. Mamma rushed forward to embrace her, but Lizzy pushed past without a word and rushed upstairs. I don’t think she even noticed us all still sitting on the stairs. Mamma stepped into the breakfast room, already calling out