{{prxprp148.jpg}} || 148 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

the sacrifice of so many hours. Now 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 employments, looked at their work, and advised them

to do it differently; found fault with the arrangement of the

furniture, 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 quarrelsome, 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 neighbourhood 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 enjoyment out of doors. Her favourite walk,

and where she frequently went while the others were calling on

Lady Catherine, 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

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