Chapter 43 241
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 his 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