Sir, Why else did Colonel Forster set off in pursuit of Wickham and Lydia if Lieutent Wickham had not gone AWL? Correct me if I am wrong Sir (or someone) but I thought younger officers had to seek permission from their commanding officers to marry? This was not always forthcoming as the military preferred younger officers to remain single men? As for the trip from Brighton to Gretna Green; If a couple hurried, depending on weather and roads and Lydia and Wickham had travelled directly there, they should have arrived in less than a week. Yours etc, (Miss) Mandy.