“In what an amiable light does this place him!”thought Elizabeth.
Elizabeth almost stared at her.“Can this be Mr. Darcy?”thought she.
“Yes, ma'am, that he was indeed; and his son will be just like him―just as affable to the poor.”
Mr.and Mrs.Gardiner smiled.Elizabeth could not help saying,“It is very much to his credit,I am sure,that you should think so.”
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.
“His father was an excellent man,”said Mrs.Gardiner.
“Perhaps we might be deceived.”
“If your master would marry,you might see more of him.”