Mr. Gardiner entered as this was said. “You see, sir, what is expected of you.”
“I begin to understand it.”
“And do you repent your visit?”
“On the contrary,” said Darcy.
As the first eagerness subsided, and the children were at last persuaded to allow him a moment's freedom, Elizabeth came forward.
“You are come early, sir.”
“I was unwilling to hazard being too late.”
“You could not have been so.”
“I have missed you,” he said more quietly.
He took her hand and raised it to his lips.
“Come,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “We shall have breakfast.”
Breakfast was not accomplished without interruption. The children remained determined that Darcy should inspect every recent acquisition, and each treasure was displayed with an explanation no less important than the object itself.
“You have not yet seen this one.”
“Nor this.”
“And this is the best of all.”
Darcy bore it with admirable patience.
At length the children were persuaded upstairs, and the table became somewhat quieter.
It was at that moment that Mr. Gardiner, who had stepped briefly into his room of business, returned with a letter in his hand.
“This has just been brought,” he said. “From Longbourn.”
“From Longbourn?” said Mrs. Gardiner. “Your brother is not commonly so attentive when we have extended Elizabeth's stay before. I wonder what he can have to say.”
Mr. Gardiner broke the seal and began to read.
For a moment nothing in his countenance altered.
Then his expression changed.
Elizabeth rose at once. “Is anything amiss, sir?”
Darcy rose as well, his hand closing over hers.
Mr. Gardiner did not immediately reply.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Elizabeth tightened her hold upon Darcy's hand.
“Is anything amiss, sir?”
He did not answer at once.
