Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 411 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 411

Pride and Prejudice

The picture-gallery, and two or three of the principal

bedrooms, were all that remained to be shown. In

the former were many good paintings; but Elizabeth

knew nothing of the art; and from such as had been

already visible below, she had willingly turned to look

at some drawings of Miss Darcy’s, in crayons, whose

subjects were usually more interesting, and also more

intelligible.

In the gallery there were many family portraits,

but they could have little to fix the attention of a

stranger. Elizabeth walked in quest of the only face

whose features would be known to her. At last it

arrested herand she beheld a striking resemblance

to Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she

remembered to have sometimes seen when he looked

at her. She stood several minutes before the picture, in

earnest contemplation, and returned to it again before

they quitted the gallery. Mrs. Reynolds informed them

that it had been taken in his father’s lifetime.

There was certainly at this moment, in Elizabeth’s

mind, a more gentle sensation towards the original than

she had ever felt at the height of their acquaintance.

The commendation bestowed on him by Mrs. Reynolds

was of no trifling nature. What praise is more valuable

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