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Chapter XXXV

Elizabeth awoke the next morning to the same

thoughts and meditations which had at length closed

her eyes. She could not yet recover from the surprise

of what had happened: it was impossible to think of anything

else; and, totally indisposed for employment, she resolved

soon after breakfast to indulge herself in air and exercise.

She was proceeding directly to her favourite walk, when the

recollection of Mr. Darcy's sometimes coming there stopped

her, and instead of entering the park, she turned up the lane

which led her farther from the turnpike road. The park

paling was still the boundary on one side, and she soon passed

one of the gates into the ground.

After walking two or three times along that part of the

lane, she was tempted, by the pleasantness of the morning,

to stop at the gates and look into the park. The five weeks

which she had now passed in Kent had made a great differ-

ence in the country, and every day was adding to the verdure

of the early trees. She was on the point of continuing her

walk, when she caught a glimpse of a gentleman within the

sort of grove which edged the park: he was moving that

way; and fearful of its being Mr. Darcy, she was directly

retreating. But the person who advanced was now near

enough to see her, and stepping forward with eagerness,

pronounced her name. She had turned away; but on hearing

herself called, though in a voice which proved it to be Mr.

Darcy, she moved again towards the gate. He had by that

time reached it also; and, holding out a letter, which she in-

stinctively took, said, with a look of haughty composure, 'I

have been walking in the grove some time, in the hope of

meeting you. Will you do me the honour of reading that

letter?' and then, with a slight bow, turned again into the

plantation, and was soon out of sight.

With no expectation of pleasure, but with the strongest

curiosity, Elizabeth opened the letter, and to her still in-

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