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 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.”

They entered the woods, and bidding adieu to the river for a while,ascended some of the higher grounds;when,in spots where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander,were many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, with the long range of woods overspreading many,and occasionally part of the stream.Mr.Gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole park,