{{prxprp282.jpg}} || 282 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

'Yes, she did.'

'And what did she say?'

'That you were gone into the army, and, she was afraid, had --

not turned out well. At such a distance as that, you know, things

are strangely misrepresented.'

'Certainly,' he replied, biting his lips,

Elizabeth hoped she had silenced him; but he soon afterwards

said,

'I was surprized to see Darcy in town last month. We passed

each other several times. I wonder what he can be doing there?'

'Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh,' said

Elizabeth. 'It must be something particular to take him there at

this time of year.'

'Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton?

I thought I understood from the Gardiners that you had.'

'Yes; he introduced us to his sister.'

'And do you like her?'

'Very much.'

'I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved

within this year or two. When I last saw her, she was not very

promising. I am very glad you liked her. I hope she will turn

out well.'

'I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age.'

'Did you go by the village of Kympton?'

'I do not recollect that we did.'

'I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have

had. A most delightful place! Excellent Parsonage House!

It would have suited me in every respect.'

'How should you have liked making sermons?'

'Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my

duty, and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One

ought not to repine; but, to be sure, it would have been such a

thing for me! The quiet, the retirement of such a life, would

have answered all my ideas of happiness! But it was not to be.

Did you ever hear Darcy mention the circumstance, when you

were in Kent?'

'I have heard, from authority which I thought as good, that it

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