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 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
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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 connection was evident; he sustained it, however, with fortitude, and so far from going
away, turned his 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 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 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 to-morrow," he
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continued, "and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you—Mr. Bingley
and his sisters."
Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly driven back to the time
when Mr. Bingley's name had been the last mentioned between them; and, if she might judge by
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 to be 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 our
before the tete-a-tete was over. On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's coming up they were all pressed to
go into the house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and they parted on each side
with utmost politeness. Mr. Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage; and when it drove off,
Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house.
The observations of her uncle and aunt now began; and each of them pronounced him to be
infinitely superior to anything they had expected. "He is perfectly well behaved, polite, and
unassuming," said her uncle.
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"There IS something a little stately in him, to be sure," replied her aunt, "but it is confined to his
air, and is not unbecoming. I can now say with the housekeeper, that though some people may
call him proud, I have seen nothing of it."
"I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us. It was more than civil; it was really
attentive; and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was
very trifling."
"To be sure, Lizzy," said her aunt, "he is not so handsome as Wickham; or, rather, he has not
Wickham's countenance, for his features are perfectly good. But how came you to tell me that he
was so disagreeable?"
Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked him better when they had
met in Kent than before, and that she had never seen him so pleasant as this morning.