{{prxprp216.jpg}} || 216 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building,

the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road,

which led behind it to the stables.

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt

was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight.

Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread

with the deepest blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment

seemed immovable from surprise; but shortly recovering himself,

advanced towards the party, and spoke to Elizabeth, if not in

terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.

She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his

approach, received his compliments with an embarrassment

impossible to be overcome. Had his first appearance, or his

resemblance to the picture they had just been examining, been

insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw Mr. Darcy,

the gardener's expression of surprize, on beholding his master,

must immediately have told it. They stood a little aloof while

he was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused,

scarcely dared lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer

she returned to his civil inquiries after her family. Amazed at

the alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence

that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea

of the impropriety of her being found there, recurring to her mind,

the few minutes in which they continued together were some of

the most uncomfortable of her life. Nor did he seem much more

at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness;

and he repeated his inquiries as to the time of her having left

Longbourn, and of her stay in Derbyshire, so often, and in so

hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts.

At length every idea seemed to fail him; and after standing a

few moments without saying a word, he suddenly recollected

himself, and took leave.

The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration of

his figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and, wholly engrossed

by her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was over"

powered by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the

most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the world! How

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