Mr. Gardiner, whose manners were very easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks; Mrs. Reynolds, either by pride or attachment, had evidently great pleasure in talking of her master and his sister.

     "Is your master much at Pemberley in the course of the year?"

     "Not so much as I could wish, sir; but I dare say he may spend half his time here; and Miss Darcy is always down for the summer months."

     "Except," thought Elizabeth, "when she goes to Ramsgate."

     "If your master would marry, you might see more of him."

     "Yes, sir; but I do not know when that will be. I do not know who is good enough for him."

     Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner smiled. Elizabeth could not help saying, "It is very much to his credit, I am sure, that you should think so."