Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 417 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 417

Pride and Prejudice

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. The idea lasted while a turning in the walk

concealed him from their view; the turning past, he was

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