[Copyright 1894 by George Allen.]

the earliest assurance of it; and, after making his bow as the carriage

turned into the park, hurried home with the great intelligence. On the

following morning he hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were

two nephews of Lady Catherine to require them, for Mr. Darcy had brought

with him a Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his uncle, Lord ——;

and, to the great surprise of all the party, when Mr. Collins returned,

the gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen them from her

husband’s room, crossing the road, and{214} immediately running into the

other, told the girls what an honour they might expect, adding,—
“I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy would

never have come so soon to wait upon me.”
Elizabeth had scarcely time to disclaim all right to the compliment

before their approach was announced by the door-bell, and shortly

afterwards the three gentlemen entered the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam,

who led the way, was about thirty, not handsome, but in person and

address most truly the gentleman. Mr. Darcy looked just as he had been

used to look in Hertfordshire, paid his compliments, with his usual

reserve, to Mrs. Collins; and whatever might be his feelings towards her

friend, met her with every appearance of composure. Elizabeth merely

courtesied to him, without saying a word.
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered into conversation directly, with the

readiness and ease of a well-bred man, and talked very pleasantly; but

his cousin, after having addressed a slight observation on the house and

garden to Mrs. Collins, sat for some time without speaking to anybody.

At length, however, his civility was so far awakened as to inquire of

Elizabeth after the health of her family. She answered him in the usual

way; and, after a moment’s pause, added,—
“My eldest sister has been in town these three months. Have you never

happened to see her there?”