第91章[第3頁/共6頁]

Mrs.Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemed to increase on this intimation of her knowing her master.

“And do not you think him a very handsome gentleman,ma'am?”

“Oh!yes―the handsomest young lady that ever was seen;and so accomplished!―She plays and sings all day long.In the next room is a new instrument just come down for her―a present from my master;she comes here to-morrow with him.”

Her aunt now called her to look at a picture.She approached and saw the likeness of Mr.Wickham,suspended,amongst several other miniatures, over the mantelpiece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly,how she liked it.The housekeeper came forward,and told them it was a picture of a young gentleman,the son of her late master's steward,who had been brought up by him at his own expense.“He is now gone into the army,”she added;“but I am afraid he has turned out very wild.”

“And of this place,”thought she,“I might have been mistress! With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own,and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt.But no,”―recollecting herself―“that could never be;my uncle and aunt would have been lost to me; I should not have been allowed to invite them.”