The observations of her uncle and aunt now began;and each of them pronounced him to be infinitely superior to anything they had expected.
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.
“From what we have seen of him,”continued Mrs. Gardiner,“I really should not have thought that he could have behaved in so cruel a way by anybody as he has done by poor Wickham.He has not an ill-natured look.On the contrary,there is something pleasing about his mouth when he speaks.And there is something of dignity in his countenance that would not give one an unfavourable idea of his heart. But, to be sure, the good lady who showed us his house did give him a most flaming character! I could hardly help laughing aloud sometimes.But he is a liberal master,I suppose,and that in the eye of a servant comprehends every virtue.”