Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 419 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 419

Pride and Prejudice

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 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 astonish-

ment, however, was extreme, and continually was she

repeating, “Why is he so altered? From what can it

proceed? It cannot be for meit 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.”

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