Sayfa 529 / 817

The conversation soon turned upon fishing; and she heard Mr.

Darcy invite him, with the greatest civility, to fish there as

often as he chose, while he continued in the neighbourhood,

offering at the same time to supply him with fishing tackle, and

pointing out those parts of the stream where there was usually

most sport. Mrs. Gardiner, who was walking arm in arm with

Elizabeth, gave her a look expressive of her wonder. Elizabeth

said nothing, but it gratified her exceedingly; the compliment

must be all for herself. Her astonishment, however, was extreme;

and continually was she repeating, "Why is he so altered? From

what can it proceed? It cannot be for me, it cannot be for my

sake that his manners are thus softened. My reproofs at Hunsford

could not work such a change as this. It is impossible that he

should still love me."