Mrs.Gardiner was standing a little behind;and on her pausing, he asked her if she would do him the honour of introducing him to her friends.This was a stroke of civility for which she was quite unprepared; and she could hardly suppress a smile at his being now seeking the acquaintance of some of those very people against whom his pride had revolted in his offer to herself.“What will be his surprise,”thought she,“when he knows who they are? He takes them now for people of fashion.”
The introduction,however,was immediately made;and as she named their relationship to herself,she stole a sly look at him,to see how he bore it, and was not without the expectation of his decamping as fast as he could from such disgraceful companions. That he was surprised by the connection was evident;he sustained it,however,with fortitude,and so far from going away,turned his back with them,and entered into conversation with Mr.Gardiner. Elizabeth could not but be pleased,could not but triumph.It was consoling that he should know she had some relations for whom there was no need to blush.She listened most attentively to all that passed between them,and gloried in every expression,every sentence of her uncle,which marked his intelligence,his taste,or his good manners.
They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for