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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。’
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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 Mr。 and
Mrs。 Gardiner’s coming up； they were all pressed to go into the
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house and take some refreshment； but this was declined； and they
parted on each side with the 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 any thing they
had expected。 ‘He is perfectly well behaved； polite； and
unassuming；’ said her uncle。
‘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 us that he
was so disagreeable？’
Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could； said that she had
liked him better when they met in Kent than before； and that she
had never seen him so pleasant as this morning。
‘But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities；’
replied her uncle。 ‘Your great men often are and therefore I shall
not take him at his word about fishing； as he might change his
mind another day； and warn me off his grounds。’
Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his character； but
said nothing。
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‘From what we have seen of him；’ continued Mrs。 Gardiner； ‘I
really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so
cruel a way by any body； as he has done by poor Wickham。 He has
not an ill…natured look。 On the contrary； there is something
pleasing about his mouth when he speaks。 And there is something
of dignity in his countenance； that would not give one an
unfavourable idea of his heart。 But to be sure； the good lady who
shewed us the house； did give him a most flaming character！ I
could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes。 But he is a liberal
master； I suppose； and that in the eye of a servant comprehends
every virtue。’
Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in
vindication of his behaviour to Wickham； and therefore gave them
to understand； in as guarded a manner as she could； that by what
she had heard from his relations in Kent； his actions were capable
of a very different construction； and that his character was by no
means so faulty； nor Wickham’s so amiable； as they had been
considered in Hertfordshire。 In confirmation of this； she related
the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had
been connected； without actually naming her authority； but
stating it to be such as might be relied on。
Mrs。 Gardiner was su