5 Pemberley

Chapter 5 Pemberley After a few weeks they came to a town where Lizzy's aunt had spent her summers as a child. "We are not far from Pemberley," said Mrs. Gardiner. "I've heard it's a very impressive house. Don't you want to see it Lizzy?" Lizzy thought of the embarrassment of seeing Darcy again, but the innkeeper where they were staying assured her that the family was away. So to Pemberley they went. They approached Pemberley through a large park. The driveway wound through woods and then, at the top of a hill, Lizzy had her first view of the house. It stood on the opposite side of a valley, above a winding river and gently sloping banks. Lizzy was delighted. She had never seen a more beautiful spot. And to think, I could have been mistress of all this...

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A housekeeper showed them the lofty, elegant rooms, filled with fine furniture. "This place could have been my home..." thought Lizzy, in wonder. They passed a portrait of Mr. Darcy, hanging above the stairs. "And this is your master?" asked Mrs. Gardiner. "Yes, and I know none so handsome, said the housekeeper, proudly. "He's a good

master. I haven't had a cross word from him in all my life." Lizzy longed to hear more. She turned back to look at the portrait, smiling down at her. In that moment, she felt gentler towards him. She thought of his love for her and remembered its warmth, rather than the way he expressed it.

They walked out across the lawn and, to her astonishment, there he was, twenty yards in front of her. Their eyes met, they both blushed. He started, then came towards her. He spoke politely, and Lizzy listened, amazed at the change in him. He, too, seemed ill at ease. He asked her the same question twice, as if his thoughts were distracted. Then he recollected himself and asked to be introduced to her aunt and uncle, greeting them warmly.

"I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow," said Lizzy, desperate to let him know she hadn't pursued him here. "We came early," he said. "My sister is here too, just arrived. Will you come inside? She is eager to meet you." His sister's eagerness, Lizzy thought, must depend on what Darcy had told her. Did he still love her then, after all she had said to him? Over the next few days, they saw each other frequently. Darcy invited them to dinner, and he and his sister made morning calls to the inn where they were staying.