Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 46 Touring Pemberley and meeting Darcy (2)
Only then did her aunt and aunt come up to her, saying that his demeanor made them admire him very much.Elizabeth was full of thoughts, and did not listen to a word, but followed them in silence.She was really ashamed and annoyed beyond words. It was the most unfortunate and miscalculated thing in the world that she came here this time.How strange it would be to him!With such an arrogant person like him, how can he look down on this matter!She seemed to have sent it to her door on purpose this time.God, why is she here?Or, why did he rush home one day earlier than expected?As long as they walked 10 minutes earlier, they would have walked far enough that he would not see them.He had evidently arrived just in time, just in time to jump off his horse or get out of the carriage.

Thinking of the awkward situation when they met just now, she couldn't help but blushed again and again.His attitude was completely different from before. ——What's going on here?He actually came forward to talk to her, just this is surprising enough.What's more, he was so polite when he spoke and greeted her family's safety!During this encounter, his attitude was so humble, his conversation was so gentle, she had never seen him before.What a contrast there had been between his diction when he handed her the letter in Rosings Gardens last time!She didn't know how to think about it, or how to interpret the scene.

They had now come to a pretty path by the river, and the ground gradually lowered, making the scenery all the more beautiful, and the woods all the more graceful.They walked forward slowly. Along the way, her aunt and aunt asked Elizabeth to enjoy the picturesque scenery. Although Elizabeth agreed casually and looked in the direction they designated, she couldn't distinguish a scene or a thing for a long time, almost carelessly. to see.

All she could think of was some corner of Pemberley House, whatever it was, so long as Mr. Darcy was there now.She didn't know what he was thinking at this time, what he thought of her, whether he would risk the world's displeasure, and still have a good impression of her.Maybe he just thought he had nothing to worry about, so he was very polite to her, but listening to his tone of voice, there was an indescribable meaning, and it didn't seem like he had nothing to worry about.She didn't know whether it was more pain than pleasure for him to see her, or more pleasure than pain.But judging by his appearance, he definitely does not seem to be calm.

Later, her aunt and aunt blamed her for being absent-minded, so they reminded her that she should pretend to be decent.

They walked into the woods, set foot on the hillside, and bid farewell to the stream for a while.Looking through the gaps in the woods, you can see the scenery everywhere in the valley.There are hills on the opposite side, some of which are covered with whole forests, and winding streams come into view from time to time.Mr. Gardiner wanted to go round the whole park, but he was afraid that he would not be able to walk.The gardener told them with a smug smile that it was ten miles to go round.This thing has to be done.

They turned here and there in the usual way, and after a while they descended in the grove on the cliff, and came to the river again, which was the narrowest part of the river.They crossed the river on a simple small bridge, and saw that the small bridge was in harmony with the surrounding scenery.The place was simpler than any they had ever been to.Here too the valley became a narrow lane, containing only the stream and a path, which was overgrown with uneven bushes.Elizabeth was full of desire to follow the winding path to explore, but after crossing the bridge, she was very far away from the house.Mrs. Gardiner, who is not good at walking, can't walk anymore, and she just wants to get into the carriage faster.The niece had to obey her, and everyone took a shortcut on the other side of the river to the house.They walked slowly, because Mr. Gardner liked fishing very much, but he seldom enjoyed it. Now he saw trout often appearing on the river, so he talked about fish with the gardener again, and often stood still. move.

As they walked slowly in this way, they were surprised again, especially Elizabeth, who was as surprised as before.It turned out that they saw Mr. Darcy coming towards them again, and was approaching.The path here was not as sheltered as it was on the other side, so they could see him from a distance.

However, no matter how surprised Elizabeth was, at least she was more prepared than the meeting just now, so she made up her mind: if he really wanted to meet them, she would simply talk to him calmly.She began to think that he might turn to another trail.She had this idea only because when the road turned, his figure was covered and she couldn't see him.But as soon as they turned the corner, he immediately appeared in front of them.

She took a peek and saw that he was just the same as before, without any disrespect.So, following his polite manner, she began to appreciate the beauty of the place.But just now she said "touching" and "charming" a few times, another unpleasant thought came to her mind.She thought, wouldn't it be more misinterpreted by her to praise Pemberley like this?Thinking of this, she couldn't help but blush again, and said nothing.

Mrs. Gardner stood a little behind.While Elizabeth was silent, Darcy asked her to do him the favor of introducing him to her two relatives.He was so polite and thoughtful, which was completely unexpected to her.Thinking back when he proposed to her, he was so arrogant and looked down on some of her relatives and friends, but it is these relatives and friends that he is asking to introduce now.She couldn't help but laugh by comparison.She thought: "What a surprise he'll be if he knows what these two are! He probably mistook them for gentlemen by now."

Still, she introduced him right away.While explaining to him that these two were her close relatives, she secretly glanced at him to see if he could bear it.She thought he might run away, avoiding these disgraced friends.He was evidently taken aback when he discovered their relationship.Fortunately he was not frightened at all, and instead of going away, he walked back with them, and fell into conversation with Mr. Gardner again.

Elizabeth was naturally happy and proud.It was a relief that she could let him know that she, too, had some respectable relations.She listened with great attention to his conversation with Mr. Gardiner, and was glad that his uncle's manner and conversation were in every way to give the impression of knowledge, taste, and grace.They soon talked of fishing, and she heard Mr. Darcy tell him very politely that, since he lived in the neighbourhood, he could fish whenever he wanted, as long as he did not leave, and at the same time promised to lend him his tackle and show him, Where are the most fish in a river?Mrs. Gardiner walked arm in arm with Elizabeth, and gave her a look of great surprise.Elizabeth said nothing, but she was very pleased with herself, for the attention was, of course, intended to please her alone.However, she was still extremely surprised, and she asked herself over and over again: "How did he change so quickly? What's the reason for this? Maybe it's because of me, but because of me, his attitude is so gentle." ? Maybe it’s because I scolded him at Hunsford that he changed his face? I don’t think he will still love me.”

They walked like this for a while, with two women in front and two men behind.Later, in order to appreciate some rare aquatic plants carefully, they separated and walked to the river.When the original position is restored, the order of front and back is changed.It turned out that Mrs. Gardner was tired from walking all morning, and felt that Elizabeth's arms could not support her weight, so it was more comfortable to walk with her husband on her arm.Mr. Darcy then took her place, and walked beside her niece.

The two were silent for a while, and then it was the young lady who spoke first.She wanted to explain to him that they had inquired that he was not at home this time before they came here to visit, because she had mentioned at the beginning that his return was very unexpected.She went on: "Because your housekeeper told us you wouldn't be back until to-morrow; and we found out before we left Buckwell that you wouldn't be going back to the country all at once."

He admits it's all true.He also said that because he had something to do with the accountant, he came a few hours earlier than those who came with him.He went on: "They will see me early tomorrow morning, and there are people you know among them. Mr. Bingley and his sisters are here."

Elizabeth nodded only slightly.She recalled at once the last time they had mentioned Bingley.Judging from his expression, he was also thinking about what happened last time.

After a pause, he went on to say: "Among these people, there is one person who really wants to know you, and that is Sister She. I want to introduce her to you while you are in Lanbaitun. I don't know if you Willing to show you face, do you think I'm too presumptuous?"

This request really flattered her, and she didn't know whether she should agree or not.She realized at once that it was only at the instigation of his brother that Miss Darcy wanted to know her.Just thinking about it was enough to satisfy her.She saw that although he was dissatisfied with her, he didn't really have a bad feeling for her because of this, and she felt very relieved.

They both walked on in silence, each thinking about his own thoughts.Elizabeth was troubled by the unreasonableness of the incident; but she felt both flattered and glad.He wanted to introduce his sister to her, which was indeed a great face of hers.They were in a short time ahead of the Gardiners, who were still some way behind them when they reached the carriage.

He invited her to sit in the house, she said she was not tired, and the two of them stood together on the grass.At this time, the two sides should have a lot to talk about, and it is really shameful to keep silent.She wanted to talk, but couldn't think of what to say.At last she remembered that she was traveling, and the two of them talked of Matlock and the sights of Pigeon Hollow.However, time passed so slowly, and her aunt walked so slowly. Before the close intimate conversation was over, she was already flustered and the conversation was over.

When Mr. and Mrs. Gardner came, Mr. Darcy repeatedly invited them all to go in and rest together, but the guests declined, and they parted with the most politeness.Mr. Darcy helped the two ladies into the carriage.

Until the carriage drove away, Elizabeth watched him walk into the house slowly.

Now the aunt and uncle began to judge the pros and cons, and the couple said that his character was much better than they expected.Uncle said: "His manners are very elegant, polite and thoughtful, and he has no airs."

My aunt said: "He does look a bit condescending, but it's just a little bit of demeanor, which is not annoying. Now I really think what the housekeeper said is right: Although some people say he is arrogant, I can't see it at all."

"It was absolutely unexpected that he should treat us so well. It was not merely politeness, but real hospitality, which he did not need. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was superficial."

My aunt said: "Lizzy, of course he's not as handsome as Wickham, or he's not as jovial as Wickham, because he has a very dignified look. But how can you tell us he's very annoying?" ?”

Elizabeth tried to defend herself by saying that she had liked him more than ever when she had seen him in Kent, and that she had never seen him so agreeable as this morning.

The uncle said: "However, he is so courteous and polite, and he may be unreliable, as most of these nobles are. He asked me to go fishing often, and I can't believe him. Maybe one day he will change his mind and not allow me to enter his manor."

Elizabeth felt that they had completely misunderstood his character, but did not say so.

Mrs. Gardner went on: "From what we have seen of him, I cannot imagine that he could be so cruel to poor Wickham. The man does not seem to have a bad heart. He said of Speaking of which, the expression on his mouth is very pleasing. As for the expression on his face, it is indeed a bit serious, but people will not say that he has a bad heart because of it. It's just that the housekeeper who took us to visit really put him I could hardly restrain myself from laughing a few times. But I think he must have been a very generous master, and in the eyes of a servant all virtue consists in this. A little above."

When Elizabeth heard this, she felt that she should say a few words of justice for Darcy, and see that he had not wronged Wickham.She carefully told the whole story to her uncle and parents.She said Darcy had friends and relatives in Kent who had told her that his behavior was quite different from what was said, and that he was by no means as ridiculous as people in Hertfordshire imagined, Wick Ham was by no means as kind as people in Hertfordshire imagined.In order to prove this point, she told the money exchanges between the two of them in detail. Although she didn't specify who said the words, she concluded that the words were reliable.

Mrs. Gardner was astonished and terribly apprehensive at these words, but now that they had all come to the place she had once loved, all her thoughts vanished, and she lost herself entirely in sweet memories.She pointed out to her husband all the interesting places in the surrounding area, without thinking of anything else.Although she was very tired from walking all morning, after dinner, she set off to visit old friends and old friends.It was a really interesting night, as the saying goes: Years of resentment and absence, once a happy reunion.

As for Elizabeth, the events of the day were too amusing to her to make any new acquaintances; she was preoccupied with wondering why Mr. Darcy was so polite today, and especially to her surprise that he Why should he introduce his sister to her.

(End of this chapter)