第96章[第1頁/共6頁]

To Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner he was scarcely a less interesting personage than to herself.They had long wished to see him.The whole party before them,indeed,excited a lively attention.The suspicions which had just arisen of Mr. Darcy and their niece directed their observation towards each with an earnest though guarded inquiry;and they soon drew from those inquiries the full conviction that one of them at least knew what it was to love.Of the lady's sensations they remained a little in doubt;but that the gentleman was overflowing with admiration was evident enough.

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.

Elizabeth was pleased to find his memory so exact; and he afterwards took occasion to ask her,when unattended to by any of the rest,whether all her sisters were at Longbourn.There was not much in the question,nor in the preceding remark;but there was a look and a manner which gave them meaning.