{{prxprp133.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 133 ||

a solicitude, an interest which she felt must ever attach her to him

with a most sincere regard; and she parted from him convinced,

that whether married or single, he must always be her model of

the amiable and pleasing.

Her fellow-travellers the next day were not of a kind to make

her think him less agreeable. Sir William Lucas, and his

daughter Maria, a good humoured girl, but as empty-headed as

himself, had nothing to say that could be worth hearing, and were

listened to with about as much delight as the rattle of the chaise.

Elizabeth loved absurdities, but she had known Sir William's

too long. He could tell her nothing new of the wonders of his

presentation and knighthood; and his civilities were worn out

like his information.

It was a journey of only twenty'four miles, and they began it

so early as to be in Gracechurcrvstreet by noon. As they drove

to Mr. Gardiner's door, Jane was at a drawing-room window

watching their arrival; when they entered the passage she was

there to welcome them, and Elizabeth, looking earnestly in her

face, was pleased to see it healthful and lovely as ever. On the

stairs were a troop of little boys and girls, whose eagerness for

their cousin's appearance would not allow them to wait in the

drawing-room, and whose shyness, as they had not seen her for

a twelvemonth, prevented their coming lower. All was joy

and kindness. The day passed most pleasantly away; the

morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of

the theatres.

Elizabeth then contrived to sit by her aunt. Their first subject

was her sister; and she was more grieved than astonished to heax,

in reply to her minute inquiries, that though Jane always struggled

to support her spirits, there were periods of dejection. It was

reasonable, however, to hope that they would not continue long.

Mrs. Gardiner gave her the particulars also of Miss Bingley's visit

in Gracechurclvstreet, and repeated conversations occurring at

different times between Jane and herself, which proved that the

former had, from her heart, given up the acquaintance.

Mrs. Gardiner then rallied her niece on Wickham's desertion,

and complimented her on bearing it so well.

 [[133]]