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your time not disagreeably. We have certainly done our best;

and most fortunately having it in our power to introduce you to

very superior society, and from our connection with Rosings,

the frequent means of varying the humble home scene, I think

we may flatter ourselves that your Hunsford visit cannot have

been entirely irksome. Our situation with regard to Lady

Catherine's family is indeed the sort of extraordinary advantage

and blessing which few can boast. You see on what a footing

we are. You see how continually we are engaged there. In

truth I must acknowledge that, with all the disadvantages of this

humble parsonage, I should not think any one abiding in it an

object of compassion, while they are sharers of our intimacy

at Rosings.'

Words were insufficient for the elevation of his feelings; and he

was obliged to walk about the room, while Elizabeth tried to

unite civility and truth in a few short sentences.

'You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into

Hertfordshire, my dear cousin. I flatter myself at least that you

will be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to

Mrs. Collins you have been a daily witness of; and altogether

I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfor^

tunate -- but on this point it will be as well to be silent.

Only let me assure you, my dear Miss Elizabeth, that I can from

my heart most cordially wish you equal felicity in marriage. My

dear Charlotte and I have but one mind and one way of thinking.

There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character

and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for

each other.'

Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness where

that was the case, and with equal sincerity could add, that she

firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts. She was

not sorry, however, to have the recital of them interrupted by the

entrance of the lady from whom they sprang. Poor Charlotte!

-- it was melancholy to leave her to such society! -- But she had

chosen it with her eyes open; and though evidently regretting

that her visitors were to go, she did not seem to ask for conv

passion. Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her

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