{{prxprp027.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 27 ||

her, though the carriage was not to be had; and as she was no

horsewoman, walking was her only alternative. She declared

her resolution.

'How can you be so silly,' cried her mother, 'as to think of

such a thing, in all this dirt! You will not be fit to be seen

when you get there.'

'I shall be very fit to see Jane -- which is all I want.'

'Is this a hint to me, Lizzy,' said her father, 'to send for the

horses i'

'No, indeed. I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance

is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be

back by dinner.'

T admire the activity of your benevolence,' observed Mary, 'but

every impulse of feeling should be guided by reason; and, in my

opinion, exertion should always be in proportion to what is

required.'

'We will go as far as Meryton with you,' said Catherine and

Lydia. Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young

ladies set off together.

'If we make haste,' said Lydia, as they walked along, 'perhaps

we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes.'

In Meryton they parted: the two youngest repaired to the

lodgings of one of the officers' wives, and Elizabeth continued her

walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping

over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and

finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ancles,

dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise.

She was shewn into the breakfast'parlour, where all but Jane

were assembled, and where her appearance created a great deal

of surprize. -- That she should have walked three miles so early

in the day, in such dirty weather, and by herself, was almost

incredible to Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley; and Elizabeth was

convinced that they held her in contempt for it. She was

received, however, very politely by them; and in their brother's

manners there was something better than politeness; there was

good humour and kindness. Mr. Darcy said very little, and

Mr. Hurst nothing at all. The former was divided between

*B 2I

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