Chapter 45
In the course of their evening walk, they had entered a meadow, which bordered the park, and was now in its bloom. The silence of the country, the beauty of the scene, and the pleasing conversation of her companion, had hitherto prevented Elizabeth from noticing the alteration of the weather. But the clouds, which had been gathering for some time, burst at last in a heavy shower, and before they had reached the nearest tree, they were both thoroughly wet.
“I am so sorry, my dear Elizabeth, that I should have been the means of bringing you into this shower,” said Darcy, as he walked towards the house. “But I hope you will not be the worse for it.”
“I do not mind it,” replied Elizabeth; “I am very glad to have had the opportunity of walking with you, and I trust I shall not be ill for it. I have had such a pleasant walk, that I cannot complain of the rain.”
Darcy smiled, and they continued their walk in silence. The shower, however, was very short, and the sun soon broke out with renewed brilliance. They reached the house without any further inconvenience, and were ushered into a drawing-room, where they were met by Lady Catherine, who was just preparing to leave the room.
“Well, my dear Miss Bennet,” said she, “I am glad to see you again. I hope you have enjoyed your walk. I am sure I have been very well entertained in my own room.”
Elizabeth replied with a polite compliment, and Lady Catherine, after a short conversation, withdrew, leaving Elizabeth and Darcy to themselves.
They were soon joined by Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the conversation was resumed with great animation. Darcy, however, seemed to have lost some of his usual vivacity, and appeared to be greatly agitated. Elizabeth, observing this, became anxious to know the cause of his distress, and at length, ventured to ask him if he were not ill.
“No, I am not ill,” replied Darcy, in a low voice; “but I am very unhappy.”
Elizabeth was surprised, and felt a degree of sympathy for his situation. She knew that he had been lately very unfortunate in his business, and had lost a great deal of money. She therefore ventured to express her regret that he should be so unhappy, and to ask if she could do anything to help him.
Darcy thanked her for her kindness, but said that nothing could be done to relieve his distress. He then took his leave, and Elizabeth was left to ponder on the cause of his unhappiness.