CHAPTER XL SPEAKS—

Elizabeth came into the garden of the Green Man the morning following the aforementioned conversation, with determination in her heart, and her formula¹ on her lips.

 

She saw David sitting on a wooden bench near the stream. He had left the parlour some ten minutes previously².

 

He was looking at the running water. Even at the distance he was from her, Elizabeth was aware of a certain tenseness, a certain keyedness in his attitude. He seemed waiting, expectant.

 

She went across the grass towards him, her step making no sound on the soft turf. She was within a couple of yards from him before he saw her. He got up from the bench.

 

“Mrs. Darcy,” he said in a queer³ hesitating voice, “if I can, I want to talk to you.”

 

Elizabeth noticed that he did not say, “If I may.”

 

1 formula   

n.公式；配方，外方；规则，一定的做法

参考例句：

• His father is acting on his formula.他的父亲总是按他的原则办事。
• Here are some applications of Taylor's formula.下面举例说明泰乐定理的应用。

2 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

3 queer   

adj.奇怪的，异常的，不舒服的，眩晕的

参考例句：

• I heard some queer footsteps.我听到某种可疑的脚步声。
• She has been queer lately.她最近身体不舒服。