{{prxprp221.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 221 ||

know that his resentment had not made him think really ill

of her.

They now walked on in silence; each of them deep in thought.

Elizabeth was not comfortable; that was impossible; but she was

flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her,

was a compliment of the highest kind. They soon outstripped

the others, and when they had reached the carriage, Mr. and

Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.

He then asked her to walk into the house -- but she declared

herself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such

a time, much might have been said, and silence was very awkward.

She wanted to talk, but there seemed an embargo on every

subject. At last she recollected that she had been travelling, and

they talked of Matlock and Dove Dale with great perseverance.

Yet time and her aunt moved slowly -- and her patience and her

ideas were nearly worn out before the tete'ct'tete was over. On

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's coming up they were all pressed to go

into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined,

and they parted on each side with the utmost politeness. Mr.

Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage, and when it drove off,

Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house.

The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each

of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to any thing

they had expected. 'He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and

unassuming,' said her uncle.

'There is something a little stately in him, to be sure,' replied

her aunt; 'but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming.

I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some people

may call him proud, J have seen nothing of it.'

'I was never more surprized than by his behaviour to us. It

was more than civil; it was really attentive; and there was no

necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth

was very trifling.'

'To be sure, Lizzy,' said her aunt, 'he is not so handsome as

Wickham; or rather he has not Wickham's countenance, for

his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell us

that he was so disagreeable?'

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