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tion, though while it was passing the enjoyment of it had

been little. Eager to be alone, and fearful of inquiries or

hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed with them only

long enough to hear their favourable opinion of Bingley, and

then hurried away to dress.

But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's

curiosity; it was not their wish to force her communication.

It was evident that she was much better acquainted with

Mr. Darcy than they had before any idea of; it was evident

that he was very much in love with her. They saw much

to interest, but nothing to justify inquiry.

Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well;

and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault

to find. They could not be untouched by his politeness;

and had they drawn his character from their own feelings

and his servant's report, without any reference to any other

account, the circle in Hertfordshire to which he was known

would not have recognised it for Mr. Darcy. There was now

an interest, however, in believing the housekeeper; and they

soon became sensible that the authority of a servant, who

had known him since he was four years old, and whose own

manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily re-

jected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of

their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight.

They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he

probably had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the

inhabitants of a small market town where the family did not

visit. It was acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal

man, and did much good among the poor.

With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that

he was not held there in much estimation; for though the

chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imper-

fectly understood, it was yet a well-known fact that on his

quitting Derbyshire, he had left many debts behind him,

which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.

As for Elizabeth, her thoughts were at Pemberley this

evening more than the last; and the evening, though as it

passed it seemed long, was not long enough to determine her

feelings towards _one_ in that mansion; and she lay awake two

whole hours, endeavouring to make them out. She certainly

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