perfectly friendly. She left him convinced that, whether married or single, he must always be her model of the amiable and pleasing.
Sir William Lucas and Charlotte’s sister Maria were also going to visit her.
It was a journey of only twenty-four miles, and they began it so early as to be in Gracechurch Street by noon. As they drove to Mr. Gardiner’s door, Jane was at a drawing-room window watching their arrival. Elizabeth was pleased to see her healthful and lovely as ever.
The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres.
Elizabeth received an invitation to accompany her uncle and aunt in a tour which they proposed taking in the summer.
“We have not determined how far it shall carry us,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “but, perhaps, to the Lakes.”
No plan could have been more agreeable to Elizabeth, and her acceptance of the invitation was most ready and grateful. “Oh, my dear, dear aunt,” she rapturously cried, “what delight! what felicity! You give me fresh life and vigour. Good-bye to disappointment and spleen. What are young men to rocks and mountains? Oh! what happy hours we shall spend! Lakes, mountains, and rivers, I adore them!”
Chapter 28
Elizabeth’s northern tour was a constant source of delight. When they left the high road for the lane to Hunsford, every eye was in search of the Parsonage.
Finally the Parsonage was seen. Mr. Collins and Charlotte appeared at the door, and the carriage stopped at the small gate. Mrs. Collins welcomed her friend with the liveliest pleasure, and Elizabeth was more and more satisfied with coming when she found herself so affectionately received. She saw instantly that her cousin’s manners were not altered by his marriage.
Elizabeth was prepared to see him in his glory; he wished to make her feel what she had lost in refusing him. When Mr. Collins said anything of which his wife might be ashamed, which certainly was very often, she involuntarily turned her eye on Charlotte. Once or twice she could discern a faint blush; but in general Charlotte wisely did not hear.
Mr. Collins invited his guests to take a walk in the garden, which was very large. To work in this garden was one of his most respectable pleasures. His house was a handsome modern building, well situated on rising ground.
From his garden, Mr. Collins would have led them round his two meadows; but the ladies, not having comfortable shoes, turned back; and while Sir William accompanied him, Charlotte took her sister and friend over the house, to have the opportunity of showing it without her husband’s help. It was rather small, but well built and convenient; and everything was fitted up and arranged with a neatness and consistency.
Elizabeth had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the country. They had spoken about her while they were at dinner, when Mr. Collins observed:
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady Catherine de Bourgh on Sunday at church, and I need not say you will be delighted with her. We dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed to walk home. Her ladyship’s carriage is regularly ordered for us. I should say, one of her ladyship’s carriages, for she has several.”
“Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman indeed,” added Charlotte, “and a most attentive neighbour.”
“Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say.”
About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready for a walk, Elizabeth heard somebody running up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her. She opened the door and met Maria, who, breathless with agitation, cried out-
“Oh, my dear Eliza! make haste and come into the dining-room! I will not tell you what it is. Make haste, and come down this moment.”
Elizabeth asked questions in vain; Maria would tell her nothing more, and down they ran into the dining-room. It was two ladies stopping in a low phaeton at the garden gate.
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