PRIDE & PREJUDICE: JANE AUSTEN: CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr Collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared; and took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed necessary.

"I know not, Miss Elizabeth," said he, "whether Mrs Collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us; but I am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it.  The favour of your company has been much felt, I assure you.  We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode.  Our plain manner of living, our small rooms and few domestics, and the little we see of the world, must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself; but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your spending your time unpleasantly."

Elizabeth was eager with her thanks and assurances of happiness.  She spent six weeks with great enjoyment; and the pleasure of being with Charlotte, and the kind attentions she had received, must make her feel obliged.  Mr Collins was gratified and with a more smiling solemnity replied:

"It gives me great pleasure to hear that you have passed your time not disagreeably.  We have certainly done our best; we were fortunate to introduce you to very superior society of Rosings, and so your Hunsford visit cannot be entirely irksome.  Our situation with regard to Lady Catherine's family is an advantage and blessing," he continued.

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 sentences.

"You may, in fact, carry a very favourable response on us into Hertfordshire, my dear cousin.  I flatter myself atleast that you will be able to do so.  Lady Catherine's great attention to Mrs Collins you may have been a daily witness of; let me assure you, my dear 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.  We seemed to have been designed for each other."

Elizabeth could safely say that it was a great happiness, and that she firmly believed and rejoiced in his domestic comforts.  Her home and her housekeeping, her parish and her poultry, and all their dependent concerns had a quiet charm.

The chaise arrived, the trunks were fastened on, the parcels placed within, and after an affectionate parting between the friends, Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by Mr Collins, and as they walked down the garden, Mr Collins was commissioning her with his respects to all her family, for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to Mr and Mrs Gardiner, though unknown.  He then led her in, Maria followed, the door was shut and the carriage drove off.

They reached Mr Gardiner's house within four hours of their leaving Hunsford.

THE END 




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