{{prxprp182.jpg}} || 182 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

of her ncircst relations, and reflected how materially the credit of

both must be hurt by such impropriety of conduct, she felt

depressed beyond anything she had ever known [before].

After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to

every variety of thought; reconsidering events, determining

probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a

change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection

of her long absence, made her at length return home; and she

entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual,

and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make

her unfit for conversation.

She was immediately told, that the two gentlemen from Rosings

had each called during her absence; Mr. Darcy, only for a few

minutes to take leave, but that Colonel Fitzwilliam had been

sitting with them at least an hour, hoping for her return, and

almost resolving to walk after her till she could be found. -- Eliza'

bah could but just affect concern in missing him; she really

rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an object. She

could think only of her letter.

Chapter XXXVll

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

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