Pride and prejudice question?

Question

who is assumed to have paid wickham to marry lydia? why is this ironic?

thanks

Answer 1

Mr. Darcy is the one who paid Wickham to marry Lydia.

It's ironic because Mr. Darcy despises Wickham and would have nothing to do with him. Mr. Wickham had tried, before, to elope with Georgiana Darcy to get her inheritance, but Mr. Darcy had stopped it. Mr. Darcy had also, years before that, given Wickham the money he requested in exchange for the late Mr. Darcy's suggested bequest (which Wickham didn't want).

For Mr. Darcy to even use his energy to FIND Wickham and Lydia was ironic. Since he didn't have any respect for Lydia, it certainly would not be something expected. In fact, it would be a rather painful task. Then to pay off a man he detests to marry a woman for whom he has not the smallest regard, is quite ironic.

Does this help?

***Edit: Forgive me for misreading your question. Annora is right that Mr. Gardiner got the credit for paying Wickham and forcing him to marry Lydia.

Answer 2

It was assumed that Elizabeth's uncle paid Wickham. It is ironic in that the person who actually paid, Darcy, is known to be very proud but yet took no credit for doing so.