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 have been 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 deion 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 been thus 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 any thing 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.
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 nobody 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 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 to beg that you may stay a little longer.Mrs Collins will be very glad of your company,I am sure.’
‘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.
