Pagina 598 de 817

It may be easily believed, that however little of novelty could

be added to their fears, hopes, and conjectures, on this

interesting subject by its repeated discussion, no other could

detain them from it long, during the whole of the journey. From

Elizabeth's thoughts it was never absent. Fixed there by the

keenest of all anguish, self-reproach, she could find no interval

of ease or forgetfulness.

They travelled as expeditiously as possible; and sleeping one

night on the road, reached Longbourn by dinnertime the next day.

It was a comfort to Elizabeth to consider that Jane could not

have been wearied by long expectations.

The little Gardiners, attracted by the sight of a chaise, were

standing on the steps of the house, as they entered the paddock;

and when the carriage drove up to the door, the joyful surprise

that lighted up their faces and displayed itself over their whole

bodies, in a variety of capers and frisks, was the first pleasing

earnest of their welcome.