Chapter 43 243
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 our before the tete-a-tete 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 ."