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 in the neighbourhood in general was beyond Mr. Collins's reach. This, however,was no 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 acquaintances 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 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 toward 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 anybody.At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire 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?”
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.