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‘It gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have passed
your time not disagreeably。 We have certainly done our best； and
most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to very
superior society； and from our connection with Rosings； the
frequent means of varying the humble home scene； I think we may
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flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have been
entirely irksome。 Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine’s
family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage and blessing
which few can boast。 You see on what a footing we are。 You see
how continually we are engaged there。 In truth I must
acknowledge that； with all the disadvantages of this humble
parsonage； I should not think any one abiding in it an object of
compassion； while they are sharers of our intimacy at Rosings。
Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings。 and he
was obliged to walk about the room； while Elizabeth tried to unite
civility and truth in a few short sentences。
‘You may； in fact； carry a very favourable report of us into
Hertfordshire； my dear cousin。 I flatter myself at least that you will
be able to do so。 Lady Catherine’s great attentions to Mrs。 Collins
you have been a daily witness of； and altogether I trust it does not
appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate—but on this
point it will be as well to be silent。 Only let me assure you； my dear
Miss Elizabeth； that I can from my heart most cordially wish you
equal felicity in marriage。 My dear Charlotte and I have but one
mind and one way of thinking。 There is in every thing a most
remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us。 We
seem to have been designed for each other。’
Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where
that was the case； and with equal sincerity could add that she
firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts。 She was not
sorry； however； to have the recital of them interrupted by the
entrance of the lady from whom they sprung。 Poor Charlotte！—it
was melancholy to leave her to such society！—But she had chosen
it with her eyes open； and though evidently regretting that her
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visitors were to go； she did not seem to ask for compassion。 Her
home and her housekeeping； her parish and her poultry； and all
their dependent concerns； had not yet lost their charms。
At length the chaise arrived； the trunks were fastened on； the
parcels placed within； and it was pronounced to be ready。 After an
affectionate parting between the friends； Elizabeth was attended
to the carriage by Mr。 Collins； and as they walked down the
garden； he was commissioning her with his best respects to all her
family； not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received
at Longbourn in the winter； and his compliments to Mr。 and Mrs。
Gardiner； though unknown。 He then handed her in； Maria
followed； and the door was on the point of being closed； when he
suddenly reminded them； with some consternation； that they had
hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies of Rosings。
‘But；’ he added； ‘you will of course wish to have your humble
respects delivered to them； with your grateful thanks for their
kindness to you while you have been here。’
Elizabeth made no objection；—the door was then allowed to be
shut； and the carriage drove off。
‘Good gracious！’ cried Maria； after a few minutes silence； ‘it
seems but a day or two since we first came！—and yet how many
things have happened！’
‘A great many indeed；’ said her companion with a sigh。
‘We have dined nine times at Rosings； besides drinking tea
there twice！—How much I shall have to tell！’
Elizabeth privately added； ‘And how much I shall have to
conceal。’
Their journey was performed without much conversation； or
any alarm； and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford； they
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reached Mr。 Gardiner’s house； where they were to remain a few
days。
Jane looked well； and Elizabeth had little opportunity of
studying her spirits； amidst the various engagements which the
kindness of her aunt had reserved for them。 But Jane was to go
home with her； and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough
for observation。
It was not without an effort meanwhile that she could wait even
for Longbourn； before she told her sister of Mr。 Darcy’s proposals。
To know that she had the power of revealing what would so
exceedingly astonish Jane； and must； at the same time； so highly
gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been able to
reason away； was such a temptation to openness as nothing could
have conquered； but the state of indecision in which she remained；
as to the extent of what she should communicate； and her fear； if
she once entered on the subject； of being hurried into repeating
something of Bingley； which might only grieve her sister farther。
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CHAPTER XVI
t was the second week in May； in which the three young
ladies set out together from Gracechurch…street； for the town
I
of — in Hertfordshire； and； as they drew near the appointed
inn where Mr。 Bennet’s carriage was to meet them； they quickly
perceived； in token of the coachman’s punctuality； both Kitty and
Lydia looking out of a dining room up stairs。 These two girls had
been above an hour in the place；