pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第76章
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letter into her hand！ She knew not what to think； nor how to
account for it。
They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water；
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and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground； or a
finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching； but it
was some time before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it； and；
though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her
uncle and aunt； and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as
they pointed out； she distinguished no part of the scene。 Her
thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House；
whichever it might be； where Mr。 Darcy then was。 She longed to
know what at that moment was passing in his mind； in what
manner he thought of her； and whether； in defiance of every thing；
she was still dear to him。 Perhaps he had been civil； only because
he felt himself at ease； yet there had been that in his voice； which
was not like ease。 Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure
in seeing her； she could not tell； but he certainly had not seen her
with composure。
At length； however； the remarks of her companions on her
absence of mind roused her； and she felt the necessity of
appearing more like herself。
They entered the woods； and bidding adieu to the river for a
while； ascended some of the higher grounds； whence； in spots
where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander；
were many charming views of the valley； the opposite hills； with
the long range of woods overspreading many； and occasionally
part of the stream。 Mr。 Gardiner expressed a wish of going round
the whole Park； but feared it might be beyond a walk。 With a
triumphant smile； they were told； that it was ten miles round。 It
settled the matter； and they pursued the accustomed circuit；
which brought them again； after some time； in a descent among
hanging woods； to the edge of the water； in one of its narrowest
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parts。 They crossed it by a simple bridge； in character with the
general air of the scene it was a spot less adorned than any they
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
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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
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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
