{{prxprp219.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 219 ||

the beauty of the place; but she had not got beyond the words

'delightful,' and 'charming,' when some unlucky recollections

obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Pemberley from her

might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and

she said no more.

Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing,

he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing him

to her friends. This was a stroke of civility for which she was

quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile, at his

being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people

against whom his pride had revolted, in his offer to herself. 'What

will be his surprize,' thought she, 'when he knows who they

are! He takes them now for people of fashion.'

The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as

she named their relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him,

to see how he bore it; and was not without the expectation of his

decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions.

That he was surprized by the connexion was evident; he sustained

it, however, with fortitude, and so far from going away, turned

back with them, and entered into conversation with Mr. Gardiner.

Elizabeth could not but be pleased, could not but triumph. It

was consoling, that he should know she had some relations for

whom there was no need to blush. She listened most attentively

to all that passed between them, and gloried in every expression,

every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence, his

taste, or his good manners.

The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard

Mr. Darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as

often as he chose, while he continued in the neighbourhood,

offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and

pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually

most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was walking arm in arm with

Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of her wonder. Elizabeth

said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment

must be all for herself Her astonishment, however, was extreme;

and continually was she repeating, 'Why is he so altered * From

what can it proceed? It cannot be for me -- it cannot be for my

 [[219]]