Chapter 50

           Mr.Bennethadveryoftenwishedbeforethisperiodofhislifethat,insteadofspendinghiswholeincome,hehadlaidbyanannualsumforthebetterprovisionofhischildren,andofhiswife,ifshesurvivedhim. Henowwisheditmorethanever. Hadhedonehisdutyinthatrespect,Lydianeednothavebeenindebtedtoheruncleforwhateverofhonourorcreditcouldnowbepurchasedforher. ThesatisfactionofprevailingononeofthemostworthlessyoungmeninGreatBritaintobeherhusbandmightthenhaverestedinitsproperplace. 

           Hewasseriouslyconcernedthatacauseofsolittleadvantagetoanyoneshouldbeforwardedatthesoleexpenseofhisbrother-in-law,andhewasdetermined,ifpossible,tofindouttheextentofhisassistance,andtodischargetheobligationassoonashecould. 

           WhenfirstMr.Bennethadmarried,economywasheldtobeperfectlyuseless,for,ofcourse,theyweretohaveason. Thesonwastojoinincuttingofftheentail,assoonasheshouldbeofage,andthewidowandyoungerchildrenwouldbythatmeansbeprovidedfor. Fivedaughterssuccessivelyenteredtheworld,butyetthesonwastocome; andMrs.Bennet,formanyyearsafterLydia’sbirth,hadbeencertainthathewould. Thiseventhadatlastbeendespairedof,butitwasthentoolatetobesaving. Mrs.Bennethadnoturnforeconomy,andherhusband’sloveofindependencehadalonepreventedtheirexceedingtheirincome. 

           FivethousandpoundswassettledbymarriagearticlesonMrs.Bennetandthechildren. Butinwhatproportionsitshouldbedividedamongstthelatterdependedonthewilloftheparents. Thiswasonepoint,withregardtoLydia,atleast,whichwasnowtobesettled,andMr.Bennetcouldhavenohesitationinaccedingtotheproposalbeforehim.