“Perhaps preparing for his marriage with Miss de Bourgh,”said Elizabeth.“It must be something particular,to take him there at this time of year.”
“And what did she say?”
“I almost envy you the pleasure,and yet I believe it would be too much for me,or else I could take it in my way to Newcastle. And you saw the old housekeeper,I suppose?Poor Reynolds,she was always very fond of me.But of course she did not mention my name to you.”
“You certainly do,”she replied with a smile;“but it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome.”
“How should you have liked making sermons?”
“You did! and it was not wholly without foundation.You may remember what I told you on that point,when first we talked of it.”
“Undoubtedly.Did you see him while you were at Lambton?I thought I understood from the Gardiners that you had.”
“I do not recollect that we did.”
“Yes,she did.”
“I mention it,because it is the living which I ought to have had. A most delightful place!―Excellent Parsonage House! It would have suited me in every respect.”
She held out her hand;he kissed it with affectionate gallantry, though he hardly knew how to look,and they entered the house.
“I should be sorry indeed, if it were. We were always good friends;and now we are better.”