she felt that he would probably strike into some other path. The 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 of the place; but she had not

got beyond the words “delightful,” and “charming,” when some unlucky

recollections obtruded, and she fancied that praise of Pemberley from

her might be mischievously construed. Her colour changed, and she said

no more.
Mrs. Gardiner was standing a little behind; and on her pausing, he asked

her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends.

This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared; and

she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the

acquaintance of some of those very people, against whom his pride had

revolted, in his offer to herself. “What will be his surprise,” thought

she, “when he{313} knows who they are! He takes them now for people of

fashion.”
The introduction, however, was immediately made; and as she named their

relationship to herself, she stole a sly look at him, to see how he bore

it; and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he

could from such disgraceful companions. That he was surprised by the

connection was evident: he sustained it, however, with fortitude: and,

so far from going away, turned back with them, and entered into

conversation with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased,

could not but triumph. It was consoling that he should know she had some

relations for whom there was no need to blush. She listened most

attentively to all that passed between them, and gloried in every

expression, every sentence of her uncle, which marked his intelligence,

his taste, or his good manners.
The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr. Darcy