Page 510 of 817

She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master were

really absent, but had not courage for it. At length, however,

the question was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with

alarm, while Mrs. Reynolds replied, that he was; adding, "But we

expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends." How

rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey had not by any

circumstance been delayed a day!

Her aunt now called her to look at a picture. She approached, and

saw the likeness of Mr. Wickham, suspended, amongst several other

miniatures, over the mantel-piece. Her aunt asked her, smilingly,

how she liked it. The housekeeper came forward, and told them it

was the picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late

master's steward, who had been brought up by him at his own

expense. "He is now gone into the army," she added; "but I am

afraid he has turned out very wild."

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with a smile, but Elizabeth

could not return it.