Consequences by C.P. Odom Read Free Book Online Page A

excellent rendition of my master was made during his father’s lifetime, and the elder Mr. Darcy thought it captured the essence of his son perfectly. It was very difficult for the artist to complete since young Mr. Darcy was very self-conscious about posing, and only the importuning of his father, who was quite ill by that time, was sufficient to allow the artist to finish it.”
    Despite her perturbed state of mind, Elizabeth could not deny she felt more warmth towards the object of the portrait than had ever been the case during the whole of their acquaintance, even after she comprehended how cruelly she had maligned him when she took Mr. Wickham’s part against him. She recognized her uncle’s amusement at the strength of Mrs. Reynolds’s praises, but she did not agree with him. To her, the commendation bestowed by an intelligent servant was high praise indeed. At Mrs. Reynolds stage of life, she had no reason to speak so warmly to day-visitors like themselves. Elizabeth thought it represented an honest expression by a woman who knew the man well and obviously respected and loved him.
    In addition, she had never before realized the burdens Mr. Darcy bore. He was a brother, a guardian, a landlord, and a master of a considerable estate upon which many people were dependent. She wondered of how much evil or good might be within the power of such a man, and if he was who she had been certain he was, the preponderance must be expected to be heavily on the side of evil. Yet such was obviously not the case—such a conclusion could not be reached after hearing such favourable testimony to his character.
    As she took one last look at the portrait before following her aunt and uncle to the stairs, it seemed his eyes fixed on her with such intensity that a shiver went down her spine. To have been regarded so favourably by such a man could not but induce a deeper sentiment of gratitude than she had ever before felt. As she turned away, she was conscious she no longer regarded his expression as one of cool reserve; instead, his smile transmitted an emotion of warmth that softened the impropriety of his expression.
    Having viewed all the public areas of the house, her party returned downstairs and thanked Mrs. Reynolds for her kindness. “It was my pleasure, I am sure,” she replied, accepting the folded square of paper from Mr. Gardiner containing the usual gratuity for the tour. “Now, here is the gardener, who will be your guide through the wilds beyond these walls. These old legs are no longer sufficient to such challenges.”
    Mr. Gardiner thanked her again, and all of them followed the gardener across the lawn towards the river. Elizabeth turned back to look again at the house, which occasioned a question by her uncle on the date when it was built. However, the gardener was not cognizant of this information, and they continued on to a beautiful walk on the bank of the river. Everything they saw was delightful, whether it was the design of the walk, with the many artfully planted shrubs and hedges that lined the walk, or the finely wooded forest they were approaching. Elizabeth thought all they saw was a fit complement to the style and elegance of the house.
    After entering the woods, they ascended some of the higher grounds from which there were so many charming views of the valley, the opposite hills, and the long range of woods. The vistas were so attractive Mr. Gardiner expressed a wish of going round the whole park, but the charm of the idea was lessened when the gardener told them it was ten miles round the whole park. With a laugh, they all agreed to the gardener’s suggestion to keep to the accustomed circuit. Before too much longer, however, they reached a point in the path where they were able to perceive their distance from the house. Elizabeth greatly desired to explore further, but her aunt demurred.
    “I can go no further, Mr. Gardiner,” she said. “I am not, as you well know, a great walker like our