and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have
courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away, where either were concerned. Till
this moment I never knew myself."
From herself to Jane—from Jane to Bingley, her thoughts were in a line which soon brought to
her recollection that Mr. Darcy's explanation THERE had appeared very insufficient, and she
read it again. Widely different was the effect of a second perusal. How could she deny that credit
to his assertions in one instance, which she had been obliged to give in the other? He declared
himself to be totally unsuspicious of her sister's attachment; and she could not help remembering
what Charlotte's opinion had always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his description
of Jane. She felt that Jane's feelings, though fervent, were little displayed, and that there was a
constant complacency in her air and manner not often united with great sensibility.
When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were mentioned in terms of such
mortifying, yet merited reproach, her sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck
her too forcibly for denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded as having
passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have made
a stronger impression on his mind than on hers.
The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed, but it could not console her
for the contempt which had thus been self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she
considered that Jane's disappointment had in fact been the work of her nearest relations, and
reflected how materially the credit of both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt
depressed beyond anything she had ever known before.
After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every variety of thought—re-
considering events, determining probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a
change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made her at
length return home; and she entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and
the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make her unfit for conversation.
149
She was immediately told that the two gentlemen from Rosings had each called during her
absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few minutes, to take leave—but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had
been sitting with them at least an hour, hoping for her return, and almost resolving to walk after
her till she could be found. Elizabeth could but just AFFECT concern in missing him; she really
rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an object; she could think only of her letter.
Chapter 37
The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning, and Mr. Collins having been in waiting near
the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence,
of their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the
melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings. To Rosings he then hastened, to console
Lady Catherine and her daughter; and on his return brought back, with great satisfaction, a
message from her ladyship, importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of
having them all to dine with her.
Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, had she chosen it, she might by
this time have been presented to her as her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile, of
what her ladyship's indignation would have been. "What would she have said? how would she
have behaved?" were questions with which she amused herself.
Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. "I assure you, I feel it exceedingly,"
said Lady Catherine; "I believe no one feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I am
particularly attached to these young men, and know them to be so much attached to me! They
were excessively sorry to go! But so they always are. The dear Colonel rallied his spirits
tolerably till just at last; but Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely, more, I think, than last year.
His attachment to Rosings certainly increases."
Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, which were kindly smiled on by
the mother and daughter.
Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of spirits, and immediately
accounting for it by herself, by supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon, she
added:
"But if that is the case, you must write to your mother and beg that you may stay a little longer.
Mrs. Collins will be very glad of your company, I am sure."
150
"I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation," replied Elizabeth, "but it is not in
my power to accept it. I must be in town next Saturday."
"Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected you to stay two months. I
told Mrs. Collins so before you came. There can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs.
Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight."
"But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return."
"Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters are never of so much
consequence to a father. And if you will stay another MONTH complete, it will be in my power
to take one of you as far as London, for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as
Dawson does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room for one of you—and
indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not object to taking you both, as you
are neither of you large."
"You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our original plan."
Lady Catherine seemed resigned. "Mrs. Collins, you must send a servant with them. You know I
always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post by
themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest
dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly guarded and
attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last
summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of
Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with propriety in a different
manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John with the young ladies,
Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to
YOU to let them go alone."
"My uncle is to send a servant for us."
"Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad you have somebody who
thinks of these things. Where shall you change horses? Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention
my name at the Bell, you will be attended to."