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striking resemblance of Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over

the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen when he

looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture,

in earnest contemplation, and returned to it again before they

quitted the gallery. Mrs. Reynolds informed them that it

had been taken in his father's lifetime.

There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth's mind, a

more gentle sensation towards the original than she had ever

felt in the height of their acquaintance. The commendation

bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds was of no trifling nature.

What praise is more valuable than the praise of an intelligent

servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered

how many people's happiness was in his guardianship! How

much of pleasure or pain it was in his power to bestow!

How much of good or evil must be done by him! Every idea

that had been brought forward by the housekeeper was fa-

vourable to his character; and as she stood before the canvas

on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself,

she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of grat-

itude than it had ever raised before: she remembered its

warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression.

When all of the house that was open to general inspection

had been seen, they returned downstairs; and, taking leave of

the housekeeper, were consigned over to the gardener, who

met them at the hall door.

As they walked across the lawn towards the river, Elizabeth

turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also:

and while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the

building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from

the road which led behind it to the stables.

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so

abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid

his sight. Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each

were overspread with the deepest blush. He absolutely

started, and for a moment seemed immovable from surprise;

but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party,

and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure,

at least of perfect civility.

She had instinctively turned away; but, stopping on his

approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment

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