Chapter 38

On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others
appeared; and 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 favor of your company has
been much felt, I assure you. We know how little there is to tempt anyone 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 everything
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 great 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 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 anyone 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 everything 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 lady from whom they sprang. 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 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 at Rosings.

“But,” he added, “you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks
for their kindness to you while you have been here.”

Elizabeth made no objection; the door was then allowed to be shut, and the carriage drove off.

“Good gracious!” cried Maria, after a few minutes’ silence, “it seems but a day or two since we first came! and yet
how many things have happened!”

“A great many indeed,” said her companion with a sigh.

“We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! How much I shall have to tell!”

Elizabeth added privately, “And how much I shall have to conceal!”

Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford
they reached Mr. Gardiner’s house, where they were to remain a few days.

Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which
the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go home with her, and at Longbourn there would be leisure
enough for observation.

It was not without an effort, meanwhile, that she could wait even for Longbourn, before she told her sister of Mr.
Darcy’s proposals. To know that she had the power of revealing what would so exceedingly astonish Jane, and must, at the
same time, so highly gratify whatever of her own vanity she had not yet been able to reason away, was such a temptation
to openness as nothing could have conquered but the state of indecision in which she remained as to the extent of what
she should communicate; and her fear, if she once entered on the subject, of being hurried into repeating something of
Bingley which might only grieve her sister further.