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Chapter XLIV

Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring

his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching

Pemberley; and was, consequently, resolved not to be

out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning. But her

conclusion was false; for on the very morning after their

own arrival at Lambton these visitors came. They had been

walking about the place with some of their new friends, and

were just returned to the inn to dress themselves for dining

with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew

them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and lady in a

curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth, immediately rec-

ognising the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no

small degree of surprise to her relations by acquainting them

with the honour which she expected. Her uncle and aunt

were all amazement; and the embarrassment of her manner

as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many of

the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a

new idea on the business. Nothing had ever suggested it

before, but they now felt that there was no other way of

accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by

supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly-~

born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of

Elizabeth's feelings was every moment increasing. She was

quite amazed at her own discomposure; but, amongst other

causes of disquiet, she dreaded lest the partiality of the

brother should have said too much in her favour; and, more

than commonly anxious to please, she naturally suspected that

every power of pleasing would fail her.

She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and

as she walked up and down the room, endeavouring to com-

pose herself, saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle

and aunt as made everything worse.

Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable

introduction took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth

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