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was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after

many years discontinuance.

The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave

Elizabeth much attention for any of these new friends; and she

could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Mr.

Darcy's civility, and above all, of his wishing her to be acquainted

with his sister.

Chapter XLIV

Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister

to visit her, the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was

consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole

of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very

morning alter their own arrival at Lambton, these visitors came.

They had been walking about the place with some of their new

iriends, and were just returned to the inn to dress themselves for

dining with the same family, when the sound of a carriage drew

them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and lady in a

curricle, driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately recognizing

the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree

of surprize to her relations, by acquainting them with the honour

which she expected. Her uncle and aunt were all amazement;

and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke, joined to the

circumstance itself, and many of the circumstances of the preceding

day, opened to them a new idea on the business. Nothing had

ever suggested it before, but they now felt that there was no other

way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter, than

by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these newly^born

notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of Elizabeth's

feelings was every moment increasing. She was quite amazed

at her own discomposure; but amongst other causes of disquiet,

she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too

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