“I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us.It was more than civil；it was really attentive；and there was no necessity for such attention. His acquaintance with Elizabeth was very trifling.”

They now walked on in silence，each of them deep in thought. Elizabeth was not comfortable；that was impossible；but she was flattered and pleased. His wish of introducing his sister to her was a compliment of the highest kind.They soon outstripped the others， and when they had reached the carriage， Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were half a quarter of a mile behind.

He then asked her to walk into the house―but she declared herself not tired，and they stood together on the lawn.At such a time much might have been said，and silence was very awkward. She wanted to talk，but there seemed to be an embargo on every subject.At last she recollected that she had been travelling，and they talked of Matlock and Dovedale with great perseverance.Yet time and her aunt moved slowly―and her patience and her ideas were nearly worn our before the tête-à-tête was over.