They now walked on in silence，each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth was not comfortable；that was impossible；but she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind.They soon outstripped the others， and when they had reached the carriage， Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.
“But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities，”replied her uncle.“Your great men often are；and therefore I shall not take him at his word about fishing， as he might change his mind another day，and warn me off his grounds.”
“There is something a little stately in him，to be sure，”replied her aunt，“but it is confined to his air，and is not unbecoming.I can now say with the housekeeper，that though some people may call him proud，I have seen nothing of it.”
After walking some time in this way， the two ladies in front， the two gentlemen behind， on resuming their places， after descending to the brink of the river for the better inspection of some curious water-plant，there chanced to be a little alteration. It originated in Mrs.Gardiner，who，fatigued by the exercise of the morning， found Elizabeth's arm inadequate to her support， and consequently preferred her husband's. Mr. Darcy took her place by her niece， and they walked on together.After a short silence， the lady first spoke. She wished him to know that she had been assured of his absence before she came to the place， and accordingly began by observing， that his arrival had been very unexpected―“for your housekeeper，”she added，“informed us that you would certainly not be here till to-morrow； and indeed， before we left Bakewell， we understood that you were not immediately expected in the country.”He acknowledged the truth of it all， and said that business with his steward had occasioned his coming forward a few hours before the rest of the party with whom he had been travelling.“They will join me early to-morrow，”he continued，“and among them are some who will claim an acquaintance with you―Mr.Bingley and his sisters.”