，最快更新傲慢与偏见最新章节！Elizabeth,as they drove along,watched for the first appearancePemberley woods with some perturbation;and whenlength they turnedat the lodge,her spirits werea high flutter.
The park was very large,and contained great varietnteredin oneits lowest points,and drove for some time througeautiful wood stretching oveide extent.
Elizabeth's mind was too full for conversation,but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and poinradually ascended for half-a-mile,and then found themselvesthe topa considerable eminence,where the wood ceased,and the eye was instantly caughtPemberley House, situatedthe opposite sidea valley,into which the road with some abruptnes waarge,handsome stone building,standing wellrising ground,and backeda ridgehigh woody hills;andfront,a streamsome natural importance was swelled into greater,but without any artificia banks were neither formal nor falselhad never seelace for which nature had done more,or where natural beauty had beenlittle counteractedan awkwar were allthem warmtheir admiration;andthat moment she felt thatbe mistressPemberley mightsomething!
They descended the hill,crossed the bridge,and drovethe door;and,while examining the nearer aspectthe house,all her apprehensionmeeting its owne dreaded lest the chambermaid had bee applyingsee the place, they were admitted into the hall; and Elizabeth,they waited for the housekeeper,had leisurewonderher being where she was.
The housekeeper came; a respectable-looking elderly woman, much less fine,and more civil,than she had any notionfindin followed her intowaarge, well proportioned room, handsomely fitted up. Elizabeth, after slightly surveying it,wenta windowenjoyhill, crowned with wood, which they had descended, receiving increased abruptness from the distance, waeautifu dispositionthe ground was good;and she lookedthe whole scene, the river, the trees scatteredits banks and the windingthe valley,as farshe could trace it,wit they passed into other rooms,these objects were taking different positions;but from every window there were beautiesb rooms were lofty and handsome,and their furniture suitablethe fortuneits proprietor;but Elizabeth saw,with admirationhis taste,thatwas neither gaudy nor uselessly fine;with lesssplendour,and more real elegance,than the furnitureRosings.
“Andthis place,”thought she,“I might have been mistress! with these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Insteadviewing thema stranger, I might have rejoicedthemmy own,and weledthemvisitorsuncleno,”—recollecting herself—“that could never be;my uncle and aunt would have been lostme; I should not have been allowedinvite them.”
This waucky recollection—it saved her from something very like regret.
She longedinquirethe housekeeper whether her master was really absent, but had not the courage for it.length however, the question was askedher uncle; and she turned away with alarm,whil replied thatwas,adding,“Butexpect him to-morrow, witarge partyfriends.”How rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey had notany circumstance been delayeay!
Her aunt now called herlook approached and saw the ,suspended,amongst several other miniatures, overaunt asked her, smilingly,how she liked it.The housekeeper came forward,and told themwaicturea young gentleman,the sonher late master's steward,who had been broughtby himhis own expense.“Henow gone into the army,”she added;“but Iafraidhas turned out very wild.”
mrs.Gardiner lookedher niece witmile,but Elizabeth could not return it.
“And that,”sai, pointinganotherthe miniatures,“ismaster—and very lik was drawnthe same timethe other—about eight years ago.”
“I have heard muchyour master's fine person,”sai, lookingthe picture;“ita handsom, Lizzy,you can tellwhetheris likenot.”
mrs.Reynolds respect for Elizabeth seemedincreasethis intimationher knowing her master.
“does that young lady know mr.darcy?”
Elizabeth coloured,and said:“A little.”
“Andnot you think hiery handsome gentleman,ma'am?”
“Yes,very handsome.”
“Isure I know nonehandsome;butthe gallery upstairs you will seiner,larger picturehim tha room waslate master's favourite room,and these miniatures are justthey usedb was very fondthem.”
This accountedElizabeth for mr.wickham's being among them.
mrs. Reynolds then directed their attentiononemiss darcy,drawn when she was only eight years old.
“Andmiss darcyhandsomeher brother?”sai
“oh!yes—the handsomest young lady that ever was seen;andacplished!—She plays and sings allthe next rooma new instrument just e down for her—a present frommaster;shehere to-morrow with him.”
mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, encouraged her municativenesshis questions and remarks;mrs.Reynolds,eitherprideattachment,had evidently great pleasuretalkingher master and his sister.
“Is your master muchPemberleythe coursethe year?”
“NotmuchI could wish,sir;but I dare saymay spend half his time here;and miss darcyalways down for the summer months.”
“Except,”thought Elizabeth,“when she goesRamsgate.”