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But she had no reason to fear Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's curiosity;

it was not their wish to force her communication. It was evident

that she was much better acquainted with Mr. Darcy than they had

before any idea of; it was evident that he was very much in love

with her. They saw much to interest, but nothing to justify

inquiry.

Of Mr. Darcy it was now a matter of anxiety to think well; and,

as far as their acquaintance reached, there was no fault to find.

They could not be untouched by his politeness; and had they drawn

his character from their own feelings and his servant's report,

without any reference to any other account, the circle in

Hertfordshire to which he was known would not have recognized it

for Mr. Darcy. There was now an interest, however, in believing

the housekeeper; and they soon became sensible that the authority

of a servant, who had known him since he was four years old, and

whose own manners indicated respectability, was not to be hastily

rejected. Neither had anything occurred in the intelligence of

their Lambton friends that could materially lessen its weight.

They had nothing to accuse him of but pride; pride he probably

had, and if not, it would certainly be imputed by the inhabitants

of a small market town where the family did not visit.