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 inquiries after her family. Amazed at the

alteration of 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 ease; when he

spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his

inquiries 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{310} 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