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undoubtedly have been much less in his own apartment； had they
sat in one equally lively； and she gave Charlotte credit for the
arrangement。
From the drawing room they could distinguish nothing in the
lane； and were indebted to Mr。 Collins for the knowledge of what
carriages went along； and how often especially Miss De Bourgh
drove by in her phaeton； which he never failed coming to inform
them of； though it happened almost every day。 She not
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unfrequently stopped at the Parsonage； and had a few minutes’
conversation with Charlotte； but was scarcely ever prevailed on to
get out。
Very few days passed in which Mr。 Collins did not walk to
Rosings； and not many in which his wife did not think it necessary
to go likewise； and till Elizabeth recollected that there might be
other family livings to be disposed of； she could not understand
the sacrifice of so many hours。 Now and then； they were honoured
with a call from her Ladyship； and nothing escaped her
observation that was passing in the room during these visits。 She
examined into their employments； looked at their work； and
advised them to do it differently； found fault with the arrangement
of the furniture； or detected the housemaid in negligence； and if
she accepted any refreshment； seemed to do it only for the sake of
finding out that Mrs。 Collins’s joints of meat were too large for her
family。
Elizabeth soon perceived that though this great lady was not in
the commission of the peace for the county； she was a most active
magistrate in her own parish； the minutest concerns of which
were carried to her by Mr。 Collins； and whenever any of the
cottagers were disposed to be quarrelsome； discontented or too
poor； she sallied forth into the village to settle their differences；
silence their complaints； and scold them into harmony and plenty。
The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about
twice a week； and； allowing for the loss of Sir William； and there
being only one card table in the evening； every such
entertainment was the counterpart of the first。 Their other
engagements were few； as the style of living of the neighbourhood
in general； was beyond the Collinses’ reach。 This however was no
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evil to Elizabeth； and upon the whole she spent her time
comfortably enough； there were half hours of pleasant
conversation with Charlotte； and the weather was so fine for the
time of year； that she had often great enjoyment out of doors。 Her
favourite walk； and where she frequently went while the others
were calling on Lady Catherine； was along the open grove which
edged that side of the park； where there was a nice sheltered path；
which no one seemed to value but herself； and where she felt
beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity。
In this quiet way； the first fortnight of her visit soon passed
away。 Easter was approaching； and the week preceding it； was to
bring an addition to the family at Rosings； which in so small a
circle must be important。 Elizabeth had heard soon after her
arrival； that Mr。 Darcy was expected there in the course of a few
weeks； and though there were not many of her acquaintance
whom she did not prefer； his coming would furnish one
comparatively new to look at in their Rosings parties； and she
might be amused in seeing how hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs
on him were； by his behaviour to his cousin； for whom he was
evidently destined by Lady Catherine； who talked of his coming
with the greatest satisfaction； spoke of him in terms of the highest
admiration； and seemed almost angry to find that he had already
been frequently seen by Miss Lucas and herself。
His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage； for Mr。 Collins
was walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening
into Hunsford Lane； in order to have the earliest assurance of it；
and after making his bow as the carriage turned into the Park；
hurried home with the great intelligence。 On the following
morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects。 There were
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two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them； for Mr。 Darcy
had brought with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam； the younger son of
his uncle； Lord — and to the great surprise of all the party； when
Mr。 Collins returned the gentlemen accompanied him。 Charlotte
had seen them from her husband’s room； crossing the road； and
immediately running into the other； told the girls what an honour
they might expect； adding；
‘I may thank you； Eliza； for this piece of civility。 Mr。 Darcy
would never have come so soon to wait upon me。’
Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the
compliment； before their approach was announced by the door…
bell； and shortly afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room。
Colonel Fitzwilliam； who led the way； was about thirty； not
handsome； but in person and address most truly the gentleman。
Mr。 Darcy looked just as he had been used to look in
Hertfordshire； paid his compliments； with his usual reserve； to
Mrs。 Collins； and whatever might be his feelings towards her
friend； met her with every appearance of composure。 Elizabeth
merely curtseyed to him； without saying a word。
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly with the
readiness and ease of a well…bred man； and talked very pleasantly；
but his cousin； after having addressed a slight observation on the
house and garden to Mrs。 Collins； sat for some time without
speaking to any body。 At length； however； his civility was so far
awakened as to enquire of Elizabeth after the health of her family。
She answered him in the usual way； and after a moment’s pause；
added；
‘My eldest sister has been in town these three months。 Have
you never happened to see her there？’
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She was perfectly sensible that he never had； but she wished to
see whether he would betray any consciousness of what had
passed between the Bingleys and Jane； and she thought he looked
a little confused as he answered that he had never been so
fortunate as to meet Miss Bennet。 The subject was pursued no
farther； and the gentlemen soon afterwards went away。
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CHAPTER VIII
olonel Fitzwilliam’s manners were very much admired at
the parsonage； and the ladies all felt that he must add
C
considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at
Rosings。 It was some days； however； before they received any
invitation thither； for while there were visitors in the house； they
could not be necessary； and it was not till Easter…day； almost a