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the rough coppice-wood which bordered it. Elizabeth longed

to explore its windings; but when they had crossed the bridge,

and perceived their distance from the house, Mrs. Gardiner,

who was not a great walker, could go no farther, and thought

only of returning to the carriage as quickly as possible. Her

niece was, therefore, obliged to submit, and they took their

way towards the house on the opposite side of the river, in

the nearest direction; but their progress was slow, for Mr.

Gardiner, though seldom able to indulge the taste, was very

fond of fishing, and was so much engaged in watching the

occasional appearance of some trout in the water, and talking

to the man about them, that he advanced but little. Whilst

wandering on in this slow manner, they were again sur-

prised, and Elizabeth's astonishment was quite equal to what

it had been at first, by the sight of Mr. Darcy approaching

them, and at no great distance. The walk, being here less

sheltered than on the other side, allowed them to see him

before they met. Elizabeth, however astonished, was at least

more prepared for an interview than before, and resolved to

appear and to speak with calmness, if he really intended to

meet them. For a few moments, indeed, she felt that he

would probably strike into some other path. The idea lasted

while a turning in the walk concealed him from their view;

the turning past, he was immediately before them. With a

glance she saw that he had lost none of his recent civility:

and, to imitate his politeness, she began as they met to admire

the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the words

'delightful' and 'charming,' when some unlucky recollections

obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Pemberley from her

might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and

she said no more.

Mr. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her

pausing, he asked her if she would do him the honour of

introducing him to her friends. This was a stroke of civility

for which she was quite unprepared; and she could hardly

suppress a smile at his being now seeking the acquaintance

of some of those very people, against whom his pride had

revolted in his offer to herself. 'What will be his surprise,'

thought she, 'when he knows who they are! He takes them

now for people of fashion.'

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