than on hers.
The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed, but

it could not console her for the contempt which had been thus

self-attracted by the rest of her family; and as she considered that

Jane’s disappointment had, in fact, been the work of her nearest

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. Elizabeth 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.{261}


“His parting obeisance.”


CHAPTER XXXVII.

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,