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Mrs. Gardiner had seen Pemberley, and known the late Mr. Darcy by

character perfectly well. Here, consequently, was an

inexhaustible subject of discourse. In comparing her recollection

of Pemberley with the minute description which Wickham could

give, and in bestowing her tribute of praise on the character of

its late possessor, she was delighting both him and herself. On

being made acquainted with the present Mr. Darcy's treatment of

him, she tried to remember something of that gentleman's reputed

disposition, when quite a lad, which might agree with it; and was

confident, at last, that she recollected having heard Mr.

Fitzwilliam Darcy formerly spoken of as a very proud, ill-natured

boy.

CHAPTER XXVI.

Mrs. Gardiner's caution to Elizabeth was punctually and kindly

given on the first favourable opportunity of speaking to her

alone: after honestly telling her what she thought, she thus went

on:--