Pagina 322 di 817

Before they were separated by the conclusion of the play, she had

the unexpected happiness of an invitation to accompany her uncle

and aunt in a tour of pleasure which they proposed taking in the

summer.

"We have not quite determined how far it shall carry us," said

Mrs. Gardiner; "but perhaps, to the Lakes."

No scheme could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her

acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. "My

dear, dear aunt," she rapturously cried, "what delight! what

felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Adieu to

disappointment and spleen. What are men to rocks and mountains?

Oh, what hours of transport we shall spend! And when we do

return, it shall not be like other travellers, without being able

to give one accurate idea of anything. We will know where we have

gone--we will recollect what we have seen. Lakes, mountains, and

rivers, shall not be jumbled together in our imaginations; nor,

when we attempt to describe any particular scene, will we begin

quarrelling about its relative situation. Let our first effusions

be less insupportable than those of the generality of

travellers."