Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of
Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in
at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.🔗
The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They
entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through a
beautiful wood stretching over a wide extent.🔗
Elizabeth’s mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired
every remarkable spot and point of view. They gradually ascended for
half-a-mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable
eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by
Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the
road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome stone building,
standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills;
and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into
greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither
formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a
place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so
little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in
their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of
Pemberley might be something!🔗
They descended the hill, crossed the bridge, and drove to the door; and,
while examining the nearer aspect of the house, all her apprehension of
meeting its owner returned. She dreaded lest the chambermaid had been
mistaken. On applying to see the place, they were admitted into the hall;
and Elizabeth, as they waited for the housekeeper, had leisure to wonder
at her being where she was.🔗
The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman, much less fine,
and more civil, than she had any notion of finding her. They followed her
into the dining-parlour. It was a large, well proportioned room,
handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth, after slightly surveying it, went to a
window to enjoy its prospect. The hill, crowned with wood, which they had
descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance, was a
beautiful object. Every disposition of the ground was good; and she looked
on the whole scene, the river, the trees scattered on its banks and the
winding of the valley, as far as she could trace it, with delight. As they
passed into other rooms these objects were taking different positions; but
from every window there were beauties to be seen. The rooms were lofty and
handsome, and their furniture suitable to the fortune of its proprietor;
but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy
nor uselessly fine; with less of splendour, and more real elegance, than
the furniture of Rosings.🔗
“And of this place,” thought she, “I might have been mistress! With these
rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them
as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed to
them as visitors my uncle and aunt. But no,”—recollecting herself—“that
could never be; my uncle and aunt would have been lost to me; I should not
have been allowed to invite them.”🔗
This was a lucky recollection—it saved her from something very like
regret.🔗
She longed to enquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really
absent, but had not the courage for it. At length however, the question
was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs.
Reynolds replied that he was, adding, “But we expect him to-morrow, with a
large party of friends.” How rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey
had not by any circumstance been delayed a day!🔗
Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached and saw the
likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended, amongst several other miniatures, over
the mantelpiece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly, how she liked it. The
housekeeper came forward, and told them it was a picture of a young
gentleman, the son of her late master’s steward, who had been brought up
by him at his own expense. “He is now gone into the army,” she added; “but
I am afraid he has turned out very wild.”🔗
Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth could not
return it.🔗
“And that,” said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the miniatures, “is
my master—and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the
other—about eight years ago.”🔗
“I have heard much of your master’s fine person,” said Mrs. Gardiner,
looking at the picture; “it is a handsome face. But, Lizzy, you can tell
us whether it is like or not.”🔗
Mrs. Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this intimation
of her knowing her master.🔗
“Does that young lady know Mr. Darcy?”🔗
Elizabeth coloured, and said: “A little.”🔗
“And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman, ma’am?”🔗
“Yes, very handsome.”🔗
“I am sure I know none so handsome; but in the gallery up stairs you will
see a finer, larger picture of him than this. This room was my late
master’s favourite room, and these miniatures are just as they used to be
then. He was very fond of them.”🔗
This accounted to Elizabeth for Mr. Wickham’s being among them.🔗
Mrs. Reynolds then directed their attention to one of Miss Darcy, drawn
when she was only eight years old.🔗
“And is Miss Darcy as handsome as her brother?” said Mrs. Gardiner.🔗
“Oh! yes—the handsomest young lady that ever was seen; and so
accomplished!—She plays and sings all day long. In the next room is
a new instrument just come down for her—a present from my master;
she comes here to-morrow with him.”🔗
Mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, encouraged her
communicativeness by his questions and remarks; Mrs. Reynolds, either by
pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her master
and his sister.🔗
“Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?”🔗
“Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend half his
time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer months.”🔗
“Except,” thought Elizabeth, “when she goes to Ramsgate.”🔗
“If your master would marry, you might see more of him.”🔗
“Yes, sir; but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who
is good enough for him.”🔗
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled. Elizabeth could not help saying, “It is very
much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so.”🔗
“I say no more than the truth, and everybody will say that knows him,”
replied the other. Elizabeth thought this was going pretty far; and she
listened with increasing astonishment as the housekeeper added, “I have
never known a cross word from him in my life, and I have known him ever
since he was four years old.”🔗
This was praise, of all others most extraordinary, most opposite to her
ideas. That he was not a good-tempered man had been her firmest opinion.
Her keenest attention was awakened; she longed to hear more, and was
grateful to her uncle for saying:🔗
“There are very few people of whom so much can be said. You are lucky in
having such a master.”🔗
“Yes, sir, I know I am. If I were to go through the world, I could not
meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are
good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he was
always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world.”🔗
Elizabeth almost stared at her. “Can this be Mr. Darcy?” thought she.🔗
“His father was an excellent man,” said Mrs. Gardiner.🔗
“Yes, ma’am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him—just
as affable to the poor.”🔗
Elizabeth listened, wondered, doubted, and was impatient for more. Mrs.
Reynolds could interest her on no other point. She related the subjects of
the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the furniture,
in vain. Mr. Gardiner, highly amused by the kind of family prejudice to
which he attributed her excessive commendation of her master, soon led
again to the subject; and she dwelt with energy on his many merits as they
proceeded together up the great staircase.🔗
“He is the best landlord, and the best master,” said she, “that ever
lived; not like the wild young men nowadays, who think of nothing but
themselves. There is not one of his tenants or servants but will give him
a good name. Some people call him proud; but I am sure I never saw
anything of it. To my fancy, it is only because he does not rattle away
like other young men.”🔗
“In what an amiable light does this place him!” thought Elizabeth.🔗
“This fine account of him,” whispered her aunt as they walked, “is not
quite consistent with his behaviour to our poor friend.”🔗
“Perhaps we might be deceived.”🔗
“That is not very likely; our authority was too good.”🔗
On reaching the spacious lobby above they were shown into a very pretty
sitting-room, lately fitted up with greater elegance and lightness than
the apartments below; and were informed that it was but just done to give
pleasure to Miss Darcy, who had taken a liking to the room when last at
Pemberley.🔗
“He is certainly a good brother,” said Elizabeth, as she walked towards
one of the windows.🔗
Mrs. Reynolds anticipated Miss Darcy’s delight, when she should enter the
room. “And this is always the way with him,” she added. “Whatever can give
his sister any pleasure is sure to be done in a moment. There is nothing
he would not do for her.”🔗
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
her—and 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 than the praise of an
intelligent servant? As a brother, a landlord, a master, she considered
how many people’s happiness were in his guardianship!—how much of
pleasure or pain was it in his power to bestow!—how much of good or
evil must be done by him! Every idea that had been brought forward by the
housekeeper was favourable to his character, and as she stood before the
canvas on which he was represented, and fixed his eyes upon herself, she
thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had
ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and softened its
impropriety of expression.🔗
When all of the house that was open to general inspection had been seen,
they returned downstairs, and, taking leave of the housekeeper, were
consigned over to the gardener, who met them at the hall-door.🔗
As they walked across the hall towards the river, Elizabeth turned back to
look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also, and while the former was
conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself
suddenly came forward from the road, which led behind it to the stables.🔗
They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his
appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Their eyes
instantly met, and the cheeks of both were overspread with the deepest
blush. He absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immovable from
surprise; but shortly recovering himself, advanced towards the party, and
spoke to Elizabeth, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of
perfect civility.🔗
She had instinctively turned away; but stopping on his approach, received
his compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome. Had his
first appearance, or his resemblance to the picture they had just been
examining, been insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw
Mr. Darcy, the gardener’s expression of surprise, on beholding his
master, must immediately have told it. They stood a little aloof while he
was talking to their niece, who, astonished and confused, scarcely dared
lift her eyes to his face, and knew not what answer she returned to his
civil enquiries after her family. Amazed at the alteration of his manner
since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was increasing her
embarrassment; and every idea of the impropriety of her being found there
recurring to her mind, the few minutes in which they continued were some
of the most uncomfortable in her life. Nor did he seem much more at ease;
when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he
repeated his enquiries as to the time of her having left Longbourn, and
of her stay in Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly
spoke the distraction of his thoughts.🔗
At length every idea seemed to fail him; and, after standing a few moments
without saying a word, he suddenly recollected himself, and took leave.🔗
The others then joined her, and expressed admiration of his figure; but
Elizabeth heard not a word, and wholly engrossed by her own feelings,
followed them in silence. She was overpowered by shame and vexation. Her
coming there was the most unfortunate, the most ill-judged thing in the
world! How strange it must appear to him! In what a disgraceful light
might it not strike so vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely
thrown herself in his way again! Oh! why did she come? Or, why did he thus
come a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes sooner,
they should have been beyond the reach of his discrimination; for it was
plain that he was that moment arrived—that moment alighted from his
horse or his carriage. She blushed again and again over the perverseness
of the meeting. And his behaviour, so strikingly altered—what could
it mean? That he should even speak to her was amazing!—but to speak
with such civility, to enquire after her family! Never in her life had she
seen his manners so little dignified, never had he spoken with such
gentleness as on this unexpected meeting. What a contrast did it offer to
his last address in Rosings Park, when he put his letter into her hand!
She knew not what to think, or how to account for it.🔗
They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water, 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 the moment was passing in his mind—in what manner he thought of
her, and whether, in defiance of everything, 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
aroused 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; when, 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, and one of its narrowest 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. The 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 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 connection 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 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 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 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.”🔗
After walking some time in this way, the two ladies in front, the two
gentlemen behind, on resuming their places, after descending to the brink
of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant, there
chanced to be a little alteration. It originated in Mrs. Gardiner, who,
fatigued by the exercise of the morning, found Elizabeth’s arm inadequate
to her support, and consequently preferred her husband’s. Mr. Darcy took
her place by her niece, and they walked on together. After a short
silence, the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been
assured of his 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 to-morrow,” he continued,
“and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you—Mr.
Bingley and his sisters.”🔗
Elizabeth answered only by a slight bow. Her thoughts were instantly
driven back to the time when Mr. Bingley’s name had been the last
mentioned between them; and, if she might judge by 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 to be 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 house and take some refreshment; but this was declined, and they
parted on each side with 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 anything 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 me that he was so disagreeable?”🔗
Elizabeth excused herself as well as she could; said that she had liked
him better when they had 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, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his
grounds.”🔗
Elizabeth felt that they had entirely misunderstood his character, but
said nothing.🔗
“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 anybody
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
showed us his 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 surprised and concerned; but as they were now
approaching the scene of her former pleasures, every idea gave way to the
charm of recollection; and she was too much engaged in pointing out to her
husband all the interesting spots in its environs to think of anything
else. Fatigued as she had been by the morning’s walk they had no sooner
dined than she set off again in quest of her former acquaintance, and the
evening was spent in the satisfactions of an intercourse renewed after many
years’ discontinuance.🔗
The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Elizabeth
much attention for any of these new friends; and she could do nothing but
think, and think with wonder, of Mr. Darcy’s civility, and, above all, of
his wishing her to be acquainted with his sister.🔗