The next morning, there was no letter from Mr. Bennet. Everyone was nervous. Mr. Gardiner left for London to join the search.
In the village of Meryton, everyone’s opinion of Wickham had changed. A few months ago, they thought he was an angel. Now, everyone said he was the wickedest young man in the world. They found out he owed money to every shop in town, and he had a very bad reputation with women.
A few days later, a letter arrived—but it was not from Mr. Bennet. It was from their cousin, Mr. Collins. Jane and Elizabeth read it together. It was a very unkind letter.
Mr. Collins wrote: "I am sorry for your trouble. But the death of your daughter would be better than this scandal. This has happened because you were too kind to her. Her character must be naturally bad." He also added that Lady Catherine agreed with him and that this scandal would ruin the chances of the other sisters ever getting married. He advised Mr. Bennet to never speak to Lydia again.
"What a terrible man," Elizabeth thought.
Soon, more bad news arrived from London. Mr. Gardiner wrote that Wickham had huge gambling debts. He owed more than a thousand pounds in Brighton alone. There was no sign of the couple, and Mr. Bennet was coming home, leaving Mr. Gardiner to continue the search.
When Mr. Bennet arrived home, he looked as calm as usual, but he was actually very sad. He went into the house and didn't speak about the matter for a long time.
That afternoon, Elizabeth went to him. "I am so sorry for what you must have suffered," she said.
"Do not say that," Mr. Bennet replied. "I am the one to blame. I should have listened to you, Lizzy, when you warned me about Lydia going to Brighton. I wanted to be left in peace, and now this has happened. I want to feel how much I am to blame."
He then looked at his younger daughter, Kitty, who was also upset.
"From now on," Mr. Bennet said firmly, "no officer will ever enter this house again. You will not go out unless you can prove you have spent your time well. You are never to go to a ball unless you dance with your sisters."
Kitty began to cry, but her father smiled slightly. "Well, well, do not be so unhappy. If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to see the soldiers at the end of that time."