Chapter 52 310
" Undoubtedly. Did you see him while you were at Lambton? I thought I understood from the Gardiners that you had."
" Yes; he introduced us to his sister." " And do you like her?" " Very much."
" I have heard, indeed, that she is uncommonly improved within this year or two. When I last saw her, she was not very promising. I am very glad you liked her. I hope she will turn out well."
" I dare say she will; she has got over the most trying age." " Did you go by the village of Kympton?" " I do not recollect that we did."
" I mention it, because it is the living which I ought to have had. A most delightful place!--Excellent Parsonage House! It would have suited me in every respect."
" How should you have liked making sermons?"
" Exceedingly well. I should have considered it as part of my duty, and the exertion would soon have been nothing. One ought not to repine;--but, to be sure, it would have been such a thing for me! The quiet, the retirement of such a life would have answered all my ideas of happiness! But it was not to be. Did you ever hear Darcy mention the circumstance, when you were in Kent?"
" I have heard from authority, which I thought as good, that it was left you conditionally only, and at the will of the present patron."