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Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set her heart on seeing the Lakes,and still thought there might have been time enough.But it was her business to be satisfied―and certainly her temper to be happy;and all was soon right again.

The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to pass away before her uncle and aunt's arrival. But they did pass away,and Mr.and Mrs.Gardiner,with their four children,did at length appear at Longbourn.The children, two girls of six and eight years old, and two younger boys, were to be left under the particular care of their cousin Jane, who was the general favourite, and whose steady sense and sweetness of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in every way―teaching them,playing with them,and loving them.

Elizabeth was distressed. She felt that she had no business at Pemberley,and was obliged to assume a disinclination for seeing it.She must own that she was tired of seeing great houses;after going over so many,she really had no pleasure in fine carpets or satin curtains.

Accordingly,when she retired at night,she asked the chambermaid whether Pemberley were not a very fine place,what was the name of its proprietor,and,with no little alarm,whether the family were down for the summer?A most welcome negative followed the last question―and her alarms now being removed, she was at leisure to feel a great deal of curiosity to see the house herself;and when the subject was revived the next morning,and she was again applied to, could readily answer, and with a proper air of indifference,that she had not really any dislike to the scheme.