{{prxprp212.jpg}} || 212 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

was really absent, but had not courage for it. At length, however,

the question was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with

alarm, while Mrs. Reynolds replied, that he was, adding, 'but we

expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends.' How

rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey had not by any

circumstance been delayed a day.

Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached

and saw the likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended amongst

several other miniatures, over the mantlepiece. Her aunt asked

her, smilingly, how she liked it. The housekeeper came forward,

and told them it was the picture of a young gentleman, the son

of her late master's steward, who had been brought up by him

at his own expense. -- 'He is now gone into the army,' she added,

'but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.'

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth

could not return it.

'And that,' said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the

miniatures, 'is my master -- and very like him. It was drawn at

the same time as the other -- about eight years ago.'

'I have heard much of your master's fine person,' said Mrs.

Gardiner, looking at the picture; 'it is a handsome face. But,

Lizzy, you can tell us whether it is like or not.'

Mrs. Reynolds's respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this

intimation of her knowing her master.

'Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy?'

Elizabeth coloured, and said: -- 'A little.'

And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman,

ma'am''

'Yes, very handsome.'

'I am sure 1 know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs

you will see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room

was my late master's favourite room, and these miniatures are

just as they used to be then. He was very fond of them.'

This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr. Wickham's being among

them.

Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss

Darcy, drawn when she was only eight years old.

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