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“She has been very kind to me.”
The answer was so definite that he let the subject rest. Whatever Elizabeth thought he was asking, another question would not make her more willing to tell him.
They walked in silence until they reached the turning toward the house. Beyond it a broader path continued along the edge of the wood, where the morning sun fell between the trees.
“That way is dry,” Darcy said. “It adds perhaps half an hour to the walk. Would you prefer it?”
Elizabeth looked along the path, then back toward Sally. “Have you any objection?”
“No, miss.”
“Then I should like it very much,” Elizabeth told him.
He was grateful for an agreement which he had not obtained by pretending the shorter way was impassable.
Sir ran ahead. For a time they spoke of the trees, the work being done near the orchard, and the little stream which crossed beneath the path farther on. These were subjects upon which Darcy could offer information without appearing to seek something in return.
Then Elizabeth mentioned the book she had borrowed.
“I have finished your book,” she said.
“And survived the second half?”
“I was more concerned for the heroine. The author gave her so much good advice that I feared she would never escape it.”
“She does marry.”
“Yes. The gentleman who has spent three hundred pages telling her what to do.”
“He had often been right.”
“That is a recommendation for his advice. I am not certain it is a recommendation for marrying him.”
Darcy smiled. “You allow her little credit for wishing to secure her future.”
“I allow her a great deal. I merely wished to discover whether she liked the man who was to share it.”
“She says she does.”
“After describing his house.”
“You suspect the house persuaded her?”
“I suspect the author of thinking it would persuade me.”
He laughed. She looked pleased with the result, then seemed to remember that she had not intended to please him. Her attention returned to the path.
Darcy did not wish to lose the conversation.
“Bingley tells me that you have been obliged to consider a similar question.”
Elizabeth turned toward him again. “Charles has been telling you about Mr. Collins.”
“He told me very little. He said the particulars belonged to you.”
“That was considerate of him. They have not always been left in my possession.”
“I know Mr. Collins through my aunt.”
