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with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him con-

vinced that, whether married or single, he must always be

her model of the amiable and pleasing.

Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to

make her think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas, and

his daughter Maria, a good-humoured girl, but as empty-~

headed as himself, had nothing to say that could be worth

hearing, and were listened to with about as much delight

as the rattle of the chaise. Elizabeth loved absurdities, but

she had known Sir William's too long. He could tell her

nothing new of the wonders of his presentation and knight-

hood; and his civilities were worn out like his information.

It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they be-

gan it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As

they drove to Mr. Gardiner's door, Jane was at a drawing-~

room window watching their arrival: when they entered the

passage, she was there to welcome them, and Elizabeth, look-

ing earnestly in her face, was pleased to see it healthful and

lovely as ever. On the stairs were a troop of little boys and

girls, whose eagerness for their cousin's appearance would

not allow them to wait in the drawing-room, and whose shy-

ness, as they had not seen her for a twelvemonth, prevented

their coming lower. All was joy and kindness. The day

passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shop-

ping, and the evening at one of the theatres.

Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first

subject was her sister; and she was more grieved than aston-

ished to hear, in reply to her minute inquiries, that though

Jane always struggled to support her spirits, there were

periods of dejection. It was reasonable, however, to hope

that they would not continue long. Mrs. Gardiner gave her

the particulars also of Miss Bingley's visit in Gracechurch

Street, and repeated conversations occurring at different

times between Jane and herself, which proved that the former

had, from her heart, given up the acquaintance.

Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham's deser-

tion, and complimented her on bearing it so well.

'But, my dear Elizabeth,' she added, 'what sort of girl is

Miss King? I should be sorry to think our friend mer-

cenary.'

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