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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.