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The others then joined her, and expressed their admiration of his

figure; but Elizabeth heard not a word, and, wholly engrossed by

her own feelings, followed them in silence. She was overpowered

by shame and vexation. Her coming there was the most unfortunate,

the most ill-judged thing in the world! How strange must it

appear to him! In what a disgraceful light might it not strike so

vain a man! It might seem as if she had purposely thrown herself

in his way again! Oh! why did she come? or, why did he thus come

a day before he was expected? Had they been only ten minutes

sooner, they should have been beyond the reach of his

discrimination; for it was plain that he was that moment arrived,

that moment alighted from his horse or his carriage. She blushed

again and again over the perverseness of the meeting. And his

behaviour, so strikingly altered,--what could it mean? That he

should even speak to her was amazing!--but to speak with such

civility, to inquire after her family!