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behaviour； there was a constant source of vexation and regret； and
in the unhappy defects of her family a subject of yet heavier
chagrin。 They were hopeless of remedy。 Her father； contented
with laughing at them； would never exert himself to restrain the
wild giddiness of his youngest daughters； and her mother； with
manners so far from right herself； was entirely insensible of the
evil。 Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour to
check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia； but while they
were supported by their mother’s indulgence； what chance could
there be of improvement？ Catherine； weak…spirited； irritable； and
completely under Lydia’s guidance； had been always affronted by
their advice； and Lydia； self…willed and careless； would scarcely
give them a hearing。 They were ignorant； idle； and vain。 While
there was an officer in Meryton； they would flirt with him； and
while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn； they would be
going there for ever。
Anxiety on Jane’s behalf； was another prevailing concern； and
Mr。 Darcy’s explanation； by restoring Bingley to all her former
good opinion； heightened the sense of what Jane had lost。 His
affection was proved to have been sincere； and his conduct cleared
of all blame； unless any could attach to the implicitness of his
confidence in his friend。 How grievous then was the thought that；
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of a situation so desirable in every respect； so replete with
advantage； so promising for happiness； Jane had been deprived；
by the folly and indecorum of her own family！
When to these recollections was added the developement of
Wickham’s character； it may be easily believed that the happy
spirits which had seldom been depressed before； were now so
much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear
tolerably cheerful。
Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last
week of her stay； as they had been at first。 The very last evening
was spent there； and her Ladyship again enquired minutely into
the particulars of their journey； gave them directions as to the best
method of packing； and was so urgent on the necessity of placing
gowns in the only right way； that Maria thought herself obliged； on
her return； to undo all the work of the morning； and pack her
trunk afresh。
When they parted； Lady Catherine； with great condescension；
wished them a good journey； and invited them to come to
Hunsford again next year； and Miss De Bourgh exerted herself so
far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both。
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CHAPTER XV
n Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr。 Collins met for
breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared； and
O
he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities
which he deemed indispensably necessary。
‘I know not； Miss Elizabeth；’ said he； ‘whether Mrs。 Collins has
yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us； but I am
very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her
thanks for it。 The favour of your company has been much felt； I
assure you。 We know how little there is to tempt any one to our
humble abode。 Our plain manner of living； our small rooms； and
few domestics； and the little we see of the world； must make
Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself； but I hope
you will believe us grateful for the condescension； and that we
have done every thing in our power to prevent your spending your
time unpleasantly。’
Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of
happiness。 She had spent six weeks with great enjoyment； and the
pleasure of being with Charlotte； and the kind attentions she had
received； must make her feel the obliged。 Mr Collins was gratified；
and with a more smiling solemnity replied；
‘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 deliv