As they passed into other rooms these objects were taking different positions; but from every window there were beauties to be seen.

The rooms were lofty and handsome, and their furniture suitable to the fortune of its proprietor; but Elizabeth saw, with admiration of his taste, that it was neither gaudy nor uselessly fine; with less of splendour, and more real elegance, than the furniture of Rosings.
"And of this place," thought she, "I might have been mistress! With these rooms I might now have been familiarly acquainted! Instead of viewing them as a stranger, I might have rejoiced in them as my own, and welcomed to them as visitors my uncle and aunt.

But no,"-- recollecting herself--"that could never be; my uncle and aunt would have been lost to me; I should not have been allowed to invite them." This was a lucky recollection--it saved her from something very like regret.
She longed to inquire of the housekeeper whether her master was really absent, but had not the courage for it.

At length however, the question was asked by her uncle; and she turned away with alarm, while Mrs.
Reynolds replied that he was, adding, "But we expect him to-morrow, with a large party of friends." How rejoiced was Elizabeth that their own journey had not by any circumstance been delayed a day! Her aunt now called her to look at a picture.

She approached and saw the likeness of Mr.Wickham, suspended, amongst several other miniatures, over the mantelpiece.