arrival at Lambton these visitors came. They had been walking about the

place with some of their new friends, and were just returned to the inn

to dress themselves for dining with the same family, when the sound of a

carriage drew them to a window, and they saw a gentleman and lady in a

curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth, immediately recognizing the

livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of surprise

to her relations, by acquainting them with the honour which she

expected. Her{319} uncle and aunt were all amazement; and the embarrassment

of her manner as she spoke, joined to the circumstance itself, and many

of the circumstances of the preceding day, opened to them a new idea on

the business. Nothing had ever suggested it before, but they now felt

that there was no other way of accounting for such attentions from such

a quarter than by supposing a partiality for their niece. While these

newly-born notions were passing in their heads, the perturbation of

Elizabeth’s feelings was every moment increasing. She was quite amazed

at her own discomposure; but, amongst other causes of disquiet, she

dreaded lest the partiality of the brother should have said too much in

her favour; and, more than commonly anxious to please, she naturally

suspected that every power of pleasing would fail her.
She retreated from the window, fearful of being seen; and as she walked

up and down the room, endeavouring to compose herself, saw such looks of

inquiring surprise in her uncle and aunt as made everything worse.
Miss Darcy and her brother appeared, and this formidable introduction

took place. With astonishment did Elizabeth see that her new

acquaintance was at least as much embarrassed as herself. Since her

being at Lambton, she had heard that Miss Darcy was exceedingly proud;

but the observation of a very few minutes convinced her that she was

only exceedingly shy. She found it difficult to obtain even a word from