In chapter 46 we read: Though Lydia's short letter to Mrs. F. gave them to understand that they were going to Gretna Green, something was dropped by Denny expressing his belief that W. never intended to go there, or to marry Lydia at all, which was repeated to Colonel F., who, instantly taking the alarm, set off from B., intending to trace their route.

So it was Denny who first betrayed the information that Wickham and Lydia were not gone to Scotland. Does this mean that Denny knew Wickham's wicked plan all along? (Ooh, I never realized how close Wickham's name is to the word "wicked." Creep!) This doesn't speak well for Denny at all. Wouldn't a gentleman have cut off all connection with such a scoundrel? Shouldn't he have warned to Forsters?