Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 44

Elizabeth had settled it that Mr. Darcy would bring his sister

to visit her the very day after her reaching Pemberley; and was

consequently resolved not to be out of sight of the inn the whole

of that morning. But her conclusion was false; for on the very

morning after their arrival at Lambton, these visitors came.

They had been walking about the place with some of their new

friends, and were just returning 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 a lady

in a curricle driving up the street. Elizabeth immediately

recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no

small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting

them with the honour which she expected. Her 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

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 at 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 her beyond a

monosyllable.

Miss Darcy was tall, and on a larger scale than Elizabeth;

and, though little more than sixteen, her figure was formed,