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Gardiner, whose manners were easy and pleasant, encouraged her communicativeness by his questions and remarks: Mrs.

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!

The housekeeper came forward, and told them it was the picture of a young gentleman, the son of her late master’s steward, who had been brought up by him at his own expense.