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, and one of its narrowest 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{312} 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,