Chapter 44 246
Chapter 44
Elizabeth had settled it that Mr . Darcy would bring his sister to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley ; and was consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole of that morning . But her conclusion was false ; for on the very morning after their arrival at Lambton , these visitors came . They had been walking about the place with some of their new friends , and were just returning to the inn to dress themselves for dining with the same family , when the sound of a carriage drew them to a window , and they saw a gentleman and a lady in a curricle driving up the street . Elizabeth immediately recognizing the livery , guessed what it meant , and imparted no small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she expected . Her uncle and aunt were all amazement ; and the embarrassment of her manner as she spoke , joined to the circumstance itself , and many of the circumstances of the preceding day , opened to them a new idea on the business . Nothing had ever suggested it before , but they felt that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece . While these newly-born notions were passing in their heads , the perturbation of Elizabeth ' s feelings was at every moment increasing . She was quite amazed at her own discomposure ; but amongst other causes of disquiet , she dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in her favour ; and , more than commonly anxious to please , she naturally suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her .
She retreated from the window , fearful of being seen ; and as she walked up and down the room , endeavouring to compose herself , saw such looks of inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse .
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared , and this formidable introduction took place . With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself . Since her being at Lambton , she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud ; but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was only exceedingly shy . She found it difficult to obtain even a word from her beyond a monosyllable .