PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 37

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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.

"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 really 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 those 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,
  and as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary,
  which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her, or, with a mind so occupied,
  she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be reserved
  for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the
  greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which
  she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.

Mr. Darcy's letter, she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart.
  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; but when she considered how unjustly
  she had condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against herself;
  and 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 own past behaviour,
  there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and 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;
  and her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely
  insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in
  an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia; but while
  they were supported by their mother's indulgence, what chance could
  there be of improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely
  under Lydia's guidance, had been always 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; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn,
  they would be going there for ever.

Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern, and 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 to have been
  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, of a situation so desirable in every respect,
  so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jane had been
  deprived, by the folly and indecorum of her own family!

When to these recollections was added the developement of Wickham's
  character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had
  seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it
  almost impossible for her to appear tolerably 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; and her Ladyship again enquired minutely into the particulars
  of their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing,
  and was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right
  way, that 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; and Miss De Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold
  out her hand to both.

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1. Ebooks list page : 81
2. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 58
3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 44
4. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 42
5. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 41
6. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 40
7. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 39
8. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 38
9. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 11
10. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 12
11. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 45
12. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 46
13. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 49
14. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 57
15. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 56
16. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Chapter 55