{{prxprp138.jpg}} || 138 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Char'

lotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be

often forgotten.

She had already learnt that Lady Catherine was still in the

country. It was spoken of again while they were at dinner,

when Mr. Collins joining in, observed,

'Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing

Lady Catherine de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church,

and I need not say you will be delighted with her. She is all

affability and condescension, and I doubt not but you will be

honoured with some portion of her notice when service is over.

I have scarcely any hesitation in saying that she will include you

and my sister Maria in every invitation with which she honours

us during your stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte

is charming. 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 his 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. She is the

sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too much

deference.'

The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire

news, and telling again what had been already written; and when

it closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to

meditate upon Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand

her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her

husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well.

She had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet

tenour of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of

Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings.

A lively imagination soon settled it all.

About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting

ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole

house in confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard

somebody running up stairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly

 [[138]]