{{prxprp226.jpg}} || 226 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

was not much in the question, nor in the preceding remark; but

there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning.

It was not often' that she could turn her eyes on Mr. Darcy

himself; but whenever she did catch a glimpse, she saw an

expression of general complaisance, and in all that he said, she

heard an accent so far removed from hauteur or disdain of his

companions, as convinced her that the improvement of manners

which she had yesterday witnessed, however temporary its existence

might prove, had at least outlived one day. When she saw him

thus seeking the acquaintance, and courting the good opinion of

people with whom any intercourse a few months ago would have

been a disgrace; when she saw him thus civil, not only to herself,

but to the very relations whom he had openly disdained, and

recollected their last lively scene in Hunsford Parsonage, the

difference, the change was so great, and struck so forcibly on her

mind, that she could hardly restrain her astonishment from being

visible. Never, even in the company of his dear friends at Nether^

field, or his dignified relations at Rosings, had she seen him so

desirous to please, so free from selkconsequence, or unbending

reserve, as now, when no importance could result from the success

of his endeavours, and when even the acquaintance of those to

whom his attentions were addressed, would draw down the

ridicule and censure of the ladies both of Netherfield and Rosings.

Their visitors stayed with them above half an hour; and when

they arose to depart, Mr. Darcy called on his sister to join him in

expressing their wish of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Miss

Bennet, to dinner at Pemberley, before they left the country.

Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in

the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed. Mrs. Gardiner

looked at her niece, desirous of knowing how she, whom the

invitation most concerned, felt disposed as to its acceptance, but

Elizabeth had turned away her head. Presuming, however, that

this studied avoidance spoke rather a momentary embarrassment

chan any dislike of the proposal, and seeing in her husband, who

was fond of society, a perfect willingness to accept it, she ventured

to engage for her attendance, and the day after the next was

fixed on.

 [[226]]