第95章[第1頁/共6頁]

On Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's coming up they were all pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment； but this was declined， and they parted on each side with utmost politeness. Mr.Darcy handed the ladies into the carriage；and when it drove off，Elizabeth saw him walking slowly towards the house.

Elizabeth here felt herself called on to say something in vindication of his behaviour to Wickham； and therefore gave them to understand，in as guarded a manner as she could，that by what she had heard from his relations in Kent，his actions were capable of a very different construction； and that his character was by no means so faulty，nor Wickham's so amiable，as they had been considered in Hertfordshire. In confirmation of this， she related the particulars of all the pecuniary transactions in which they had been connected，without actually naming her authority， but stating it to be such as might be relied on.

The observations of her uncle and aunt now began；and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected.

Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his character，but said nothing.

The surprise of such an application was great indeed； it was too great for her to know in what manner she acceded to it.She immediately felt that whatever desire Miss Darcy might have of being acquainted with her must be the work of her brother，and， without looking farther， it was satisfactory； it was gratifying to know that his resentment had not made him think really ill of her.