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The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning.
After waiting near the lodges to pay deferential respect to the parting, Mr. Collins was able to report home how they appeared in good health.
To Rosings he then hastened, to console Lady Catherine and her daughter. On his return, with great satisfaction he brought an invitation from her Ladyship. She felt so dull she desired for them all to dine with her.
Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that she might by this time have been presented to her as her future niece. It gave her great amusement to imagine her Ladyship's indignation.
Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. "I assure you, I feel it exceedingly," said Lady Catherine. "No one 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 sorry to go! But so they always are. The dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last. Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely, more than last year, I think. His attachment to Rosings increases."
Mr. Collins had a compliment and an allusion to throw in here, which made the mother and daughter smile.
Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of spirits. Herself immediately accounting for it by supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon. "If that is the case, you must write to your mother and 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 two weeks."
"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. I am going there early in June, for a week. As Dawson does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room for one of you. 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. "Mrs. Collins, you must send a servant with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would be discreditable to you to let them go alone."
"My uncle is to send a servant for us."
"Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he? I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of these things. Where shall you change horses? Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will be attended to."
Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey. She did not answer them all herself, some replies by Elizabeth were necessary, keeping her from dwelling on her thoughts. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours. Whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief. Not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.
She was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart Mr. Darcy's letter. She studied every sentence, and her feelings towards its writer were at times widely different. When she remembered the style of his address, she was still full of indignation. When she considered how unjustly she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against herself.
His disappointed feelings became the object of compassion. His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect, but she could not approve him. Nor could she for a moment repent her refusal, or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again.
In her past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret. 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. Her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the evil.
Frequently had Elizabeth united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia. While they were supported by their mother's indulgence, what chance could there be of improvement? Completely under Lydia's guidance, weak-spirited, and irritable, Catherine had always been 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. While Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there forever.
Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern. 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 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 Jane had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family! Deprived of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness.
The happy spirits which had seldom been depressed were so much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear 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. Her Ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of their journey. She instructed them on the best method of packing and was urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right way. 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. Miss de Bourgh exerted herself to curtsey and held out her hand to both.