Chapter 43 234
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 upstairs 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