pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第55章
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them； that it had been taken in his father’s life time。
There was certainly at this moment； in Elizabeth’s mind； a
more gentle sensation towards the original； than she had ever felt
in the height of their acquaintance。 The commendation bestowed
on him by Mrs。 Reynolds was of no trifling nature。 What praise is
more valuable than the praise of an intelligent servant？ As a
brother； a landlord； a master； she considered how many people’s
happiness were in his guardianship！—How much of pleasure or
pain it was in his power to bestow！—How much of good or evil
must be done by him！ Every idea that had been brought forward
by the housekeeper was favourable to his character； and as she
stood before the canvas； on which he was represented； and fixed
his eyes upon herself； she thought of his regard with a deeper
sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before； she
remembered its warmth； and softened its impropriety of
expression。
When all of the house that was open to general inspection had
been seen； they returned down stairs； and taking leave of the
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housekeeper； were consigned over to the gardener； who met them
at the hall door。
As they walked across the lawn towards the river； Elizabeth
turned back to look again； her uncle and aunt stopped also； and
while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building；
the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road；
which led behind it to the stables。
They were within twenty yards of each other； and so abrupt
was his appearance； that it was impossible to avoid his sight。 Their
eyes instantly met； and the cheeks of each were overspread with
the deepest blush。 He absolutely started； and for a moment
seemed immoveable from surprise； but shortly recovering himself；
advanced towards the party； and spoke to Elizabeth； if not in
terms of perfect composure； at least of perfect civility。
She had instinctively turned away； but； stopping on his
approach； received his compliments with an embarrassment
impossible to be overcome。 Had his first appearance； or his
resemblance to the picture they had just been examining； been
insufficient to assure the other two that they now saw Mr。 Darcy；
the gardener’s expression of surprise； on beholding his master；
must immediately have told it。 They stood a little aloof while he
was talking to their niece； who； astonished and confused； scarcely
dared lift her eyes to his face； and knew not what answer she
returned to his civil enquiries after her family。 Amazed at the
alteration in his manner since they last parted； every sentence that
he uttered was increasing her embarrassment； and every idea of
the impropriety of her being found there； recurring to her mind；
the few minutes in which they continued together； were some of
the most uncomfortable of her life。 Nor did he seem much more at
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ease； when he spoke； his accent had none of its usual sedateness；
and he repeated his enquiries as to the time of her having left
Longbourn； and of her stay in Derbyshire； so often； and in so
hurried a way； as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts。
At length； every idea seemed to fail him； and； after standing a
few moments without saying a word； he suddenly recollected
himself； and took leave。
The others then joined her； and expressed their admiration of
his figure； but Elizabeth heard not a word； and； wholly engrossed
by her own feelings； followed them in silence。 She was
overpowered by shame and vexation。 Her coming there was the
most unfortunate； the most ill…judged thing in the world！ How
strange must it appear to him！ In what a disgraceful light might it
not strike so vain a man！ It might seem as if she had purposely
thrown herself in his way again！ Oh！ why did she come？ or； why
did he thus come a day before he was expected？ Had they been
only ten minutes sooner； they should have been beyond the reach
of his discrimination； for it was plain that he was that moment
arrived； that moment alighted from his horse or his carriage。 She
blushed again and again over the perverseness of the meeting。
And his behaviour； so strikingly altered；—what could it mean？
That he should even speak to her was amazing！—but to speak with
such civility； to enquire after her family！ Never in her life had she
seen his manners so little dignified； never had he spoken with
such gentleness as on this unexpected meeting。 What a contrast
did it offer to his last address in Rosings Park； when he put his
letter into her hand！ She knew not what to think； nor how to
account for it。
They had now entered a beautiful walk by the side of the water；
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and every step was bringing forward a nobler fall of ground； or a
finer reach of the woods to which they were approaching； but it
was some time before Elizabeth was sensible of any of it； and；
though she answered mechanically to the repeated appeals of her
uncle and aunt； and seemed to direct her eyes to such objects as
they pointed out； she distinguished no part of the scene。 Her
thoughts were all fixed on that one spot of Pemberley House；
whichever it might be； where Mr。 Darcy then was。 She longed to
know what at that moment was passing in his mind； in what
manner he thought of her； and whether； in defiance of every thing；
she was still dear to him。 Perhaps he had been civil； only because
he felt himself at ease； yet there had been that in his voice； which
was not like ease。 Whether he had felt more of pain or of pleasure
in seeing her； she could not tell； but he certainly had not seen her
with composure。
At length； however； the remarks of her companions on her
absence of mind roused her； and she felt the necessity of
appearing more like herself。
They entered the woods； and bidding adieu to the river for a
while； ascended some of the higher grounds； whence； in spots
where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander；
were many charming views of the valley； the opposite hills； with
the long range of woods overspreading many； and occasionally
part of the stream。 Mr。 Gardiner expressed a wish of going round
the whole Park； but feared it might be beyond a walk。 With a
triumphant smile； they were told； that it was ten miles round。 It
settled the matter； and they pursued the accustomed circuit；
which brought them again； after some time； in a descent among
hanging woods； to the edge of the water； in one of its narrowest
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parts。 They crossed it by a simple bridge； in character with the
general air of the scene it was a spot less adorned than any they
had yet visited； and the valley； here contracted into a glen； allowed
room only for the stream； and a narrow walk amidst the rough
coppice…wood which bordered it。 Elizabeth longed to explore its
windings； but when they had crossed the bridge； and perceived
their distance from the house； Mrs。 Gardiner； who was not a great
walker； could go no farther； and thought only of returning to the
carriage as quickly as possible。 Her niece was； therefore； obliged
to submit； and they took their way towards the house on the
opposite side of the river； in the nearest direction； but their
progress was slow； for Mr。 Gardiner； though seldom able to
indulge the taste； was very fond of fishing； and was so much
engaged in watching the occasional appearance of some trout in
the water； and talking to the man about them； that he advanced
but little。 Whilst wandering on in this slow manner； they were
again surprised； and Elizabeth’s astonishment was quite equal to
what it had been at first； by the sight of Mr。 Darcy approaching
them； and at no great distance。 The walk being here less sheltered
than on 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。 This 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
