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and then they were honoured with a call from her Ladyship,

and nothing escaped her observation that was passing in the

room during these visits. She examined into their employ-

ments, looked at their work, and advised them to do it

differently; found fault with the arrangement of the furni-

ture, or detected the housemaid in negligence; and if she

accepted any refreshment, seemed to do it only for the sake

of finding out that Mrs. Collins's joints of meat were too

large for her family.

Elizabeth soon perceived that though this great lady was

not in the commission of the peace for the county, she was

a most active magistrate in her own parish, the minutest

concerns of which were carried to her by Mr. Collins; and

whenever any of the cottagers were disposed to be quarrel-

some, discontented, or too poor, she sallied forth into the

village to settle their differences, silence their complaints,

and scold them into harmony and plenty.

The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about

twice a week: and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and

there being only one card-table in the evening, every such

entertainment was the counterpart of the first. Their other

engagements were few; as the style of living of the neigh-

bourhood in general was beyond the Collinses' reach. This,

however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon the whole she

spent her time comfortably enough: there were half-hours of

pleasant conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was

so fine for the time of year, that she had often great enjoy-

ment out of doors. Her favourite walk, and where she fre-

quently went while the others were calling on Lady Cath-

erine, was along the open grove which edged that side of the

park where there was a nice sheltered path, which no one

seemed to value but herself, and where she felt beyond the

reach of Lady Catherine's curiosity.

In this quiet way the first fortnight of her visit soon passed

away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it

was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings, which in

so small a circle must be important. Elizabeth had heard,

soon after her arrival, that Mr. Darcy was expected there in

the course of a few weeks; and though there were not many

of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer, his coming

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