{{prxprp227.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 227 ||

Bingley expressed great pleasure in the certainty of seeing

Elizabeth again, having still a great deal to say to her, and many

inquiries to make after all their Hertfordshire friends. Elizabeth,

construing all this into a wish of hearing her speak of her sister,

was pleased; and on this account, as well as some others, found

herself, when their visitors left them, capable of considering the

last half hour with some satisfaction, though while it was passing,

the enjoyment of it had been little. Eager to be alone, and

fearful of inquiries or hints from her uncle and aunt, she stayed

with them only long enough to hear their favourable opinion

of Bingley, and then hurried away to dress.

But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity;

it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident

that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they

had before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in

love with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to

justify inquiry.

Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well;

and, as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to

find. They could not be untouched by his politeness, and had

they drawn his character from their own feelings and his servant's

report, without any reference to any other account, the circle in

Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized

it for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing

the houses-keeper; and they soon became sensible, that the authority

of a servant who had known him since he was four years old,

and whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be

hastily rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence

of their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight.

They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably

had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants

of a small market'town where the family did not visit. It was

acknowledged, however, that he was a liberal man, and did much

good among the poor.

With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he

was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief

of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly

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