with{328} how much civility on that lady’s side the acquaintance would now

be renewed.
On reaching the house, they were shown through the hall into the saloon,

whose northern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows,

opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the high woody

hills behind the house, and of the beautiful oaks and Spanish chestnuts

which were scattered over the intermediate lawn.
In this room they were received by Miss Darcy, who was sitting there

with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the lady with whom she lived in

London. Georgiana’s reception of them was very civil, but attended with

all that embarrassment which, though proceeding from shyness and the

fear of doing wrong, would easily give to those who felt themselves

inferior the belief of her being proud and reserved. Mrs. Gardiner and

her niece, however, did her justice, and pitied her.
By Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley they were noticed only by a courtesy; and

on their being seated, a pause, awkward as such pauses must always be,

succeeded for a few moments. It was first broken by Mrs. Annesley, a

genteel, agreeable-looking woman, whose endeavour to introduce some kind

of discourse proved her to be more truly well-bred than either of the

others; and between her and Mrs. Gardiner, with occasional help from

Elizabeth, the conversation was carried on. Miss Darcy looked as if she

wished for courage enough to join in it; and sometimes did venture a

short sentence, when there was least danger of its being heard.
Elizabeth soon saw that she was herself closely watched by Miss Bingley,

and that she could not speak a word, especially to Miss Darcy, without

calling her attention.{329} This observation would not have prevented her

from trying to talk to the latter, had they not been seated at an

inconvenient distance; but she was not sorry to be spared the necessity

of saying much: her own thoughts were employing her. She expected every