按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
had yet visited； and the valley； here contracted into a glen； allowed
room only for the stream； and a narrow walk amidst the rough
coppice…wood which bordered it。 Elizabeth longed to explore its
windings； but when they had crossed the bridge； and perceived
their distance from the house； Mrs。 Gardiner； who was not a great
walker； could go no farther； and thought only of returning to the
carriage as quickly as possible。 Her niece was； therefore； obliged
to submit； and they took their way towards the house on the
opposite side of the river； in the nearest direction； but their
progress was slow； for Mr。 Gardiner； though seldom able to
indulge the taste； was very fond of fishing； and was so much
engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in
the water； and talking to the man about them； that he advanced
but little。 Whilst wandering on in this slow manner； they were
again surprised； and Elizabeth’s astonishment was quite equal to
what it had been at first； by the sight of Mr。 Darcy approaching
them； and at no great distance。 The walk being here less sheltered
than on the other side； allowed them to see him before they met。
Elizabeth； however astonished； was at least more prepared for an
interview than before； and resolved to appear and to speak with
calmness； if he really intended to meet them。 For a few moments；
indeed； she felt that he would probably strike into some other
path。 This idea lasted while a turning in the walk concealed him
from their view； the turning past； he was immediately before
them。 With a glance she saw； that he had lost none of his recent
civility； and； to imitate his politeness； she began； as they met； to
admire the beauty of the place； but she had not got beyond the
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 292…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 292
words ‘delightful；’ and ‘charming；’ when some unlucky
recollections obtruded； and she fancied that praise of Pemberley
from her； might be mischievously construed。 Her colour changed；
and she said no more。
Mrs。 Gardiner was standing a little behind； and on her pausing；
he asked her； if she would do him the honour of introducing him
to her friends。 This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite
unprepared； and she could hardly suppress a smile； at his being
now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people；
against whom his pride had revolted； in his offer to herself。 ‘What
will be his surprise；’ thought she； ‘when he knows who they are！
He takes them now for people of fashion。’
The introduction； however； was immediately made； and as she
named their relationship to herself； she stole a sly look at him； to
see how he bore it； and was not without the expectation of his
decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions。
That he was surprised by the connexion was evident； he sustained
it however with fortitude； and so far from going away； turned back
with them； and entered into conversation with Mr。 Gardiner。
Elizabeth could not but be pleased； could not but triumph。 It was
consoling； that he should know she had some relations for whom
there was no need to blush。 She listened most attentively to all
that passed between them； and gloried in every expression； every
sentence of her uncle； which marked his intelligence； his taste； or
his good manners。
The conversation soon turned upon fishing； and she heard Mr。
Darcy invite him； with the greatest civility； to fish there as often as
he chose； while he continued in the neighbourhood； offering at the
same time to supply him with fishing tackle； and pointing out
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 293…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 293
those parts of the stream where there was usually most sport。 Mrs。
Gardiner； who was walking arm in arm with Elizabeth； gave her a
look expressive of her wonder。 Elizabeth said nothing； but it
gratified her exceedingly； the compliment must be all for herself。
Her astonishment； however； was extreme； and continually was she
repeating； ‘Why is he so altered？ From what can it proceed？ It
cannot be for me； it cannot be for my sake that his manners are
thus softened。 My reproofs at Hunsford could not work such a
change as this。 It is impossible that he should still love me。’
After walking some time in this way； the two ladies in front； the
two gentlemen behind； on resuming their places； after descending
to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious
water…plant； there chanced to be a little alteration。 It originated in
Mrs。 Gardiner； who； fatigued by the exercise of the morning； found
Elizabeth’s arm inadequate to her support； and consequently
preferred her husband’s。 Mr。 Darcy took her place by her niece；
and they walked on together。 After a short silence； the lady first
spoke。 She wished him to know that she had been assured of his
absence before she came to the place； and accordingly began by
observing； that his arrival had been very unexpected—‘for your
housekeeper；’ she added； ‘informed us that you would certainly
not be here till to…morrow； and indeed； before we left Bakewell； we
understood that you were not immediately expected in the
country。’ He acknowledged the truth of it all； and said that
business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a
few hours before the rest of the party with whom he had been
travelling。 ‘They will join me early tomorrow；’ he continued； ‘and
among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you；—
Mr。 Bingley and his sisters。’
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 294…
Jane Austen： Pride and Prejudice 294
Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow。 Her thoughts were
instantly driven back to the time when Mr。 Bingley’s name had
been last mentioned between them； and if she might judge from
his complexion； his mind was not very differently engaged。
‘There is also one other person in the party；’ he continued after
a pause； ‘who more particularly wishes to be known to you；—Will
you allow me； or do I ask too much； to introduce my sister to your
acquaintance during your stay at Lambton？’
The surprise of such an application was great indeed； it was too
great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it。 She
immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of
being acquainted with her； must be the work of her brother； and
without looking farther； it was satisfactory； it was gratifying to
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 tête…à…tête was over。 On