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.
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.
It is not the object of this work to give a deion of Derbyshire, nor of any of the remarkable places through which their route thither lay;Oxford,Blenheim,Warwick,Kenilworth,Birmingham, etc. are sufficiently known.A small part of Derbyshire is all the present concern.To the little town of Lambton, the scene of Mrs. Gardiner's former residence, and where she had lately learned some acquaintance still remained,they bent their steps, after having seen all the principal wonders of the country; and within five miles of Lambton, Elizabeth found from her aunt that Pemberley was situated.It was not in their direct road,nor more than a mile or two out of it.In talking over their route the evening before,Mrs.Gardiner expressed an inclination to see the place again.Mr.Gardiner declared his willingness,and Elizabeth was applied to for her approbation.