صفحة 535 من 817

"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."

Elizabeth felt that they had entirely mistaken his character, but

said nothing.

"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 the

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."