Chapter 38

It was Saturday morning. A few minutes before the others came down, Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met at the breakfast table. Mr. Collins did not miss the chance to give the farewell speech he felt he must give.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet," he said. "I do not know whether I have already told you how deeply grateful Mrs. Collins is for the kindness of your visit. But I am certain I cannot leave this house without offering that thanks. I wish to tell you how greatly we value the favor of your company. I am well aware that our humble home has little to attract anyone's interest. When I consider our simple household, our small rooms, our few servants, and how rarely we meet other people, I am sure that Hunsford must have been exceedingly dull for a young lady such as yourself. Even so, we are deeply grateful for your generous visit. And I hope you will believe that we have done everything in our power to make your stay comfortable."

Elizabeth thanked him in haste. She also said that she had been very happy. She had greatly enjoyed the six weeks. When she thought of the joy of being with Charlotte and the kind attention she had received, she felt that she was the one who should be grateful. Mr. Collins, looking satisfied, replied with an even more smiling and solemn face.

"I am more than pleased to hear that you have been comfortable. We have certainly done our best. What is more, we were most fortunate to be able to introduce you to company of the very highest rank. And thanks to our closeness to Rosings, we were often able to give you the chance to escape the plainness of our own humble household. So I dare to think that your stay at Hunsford was not entirely disagreeable. Our connection with Lady Catherine's family is truly a most special advantage and blessing. Few people have a connection they can boast of as we can. You have seen for yourself how we are treated there. And you have seen how constantly we are invited there, too. It is true that this humble parsonage has many shortcomings. But I cannot help admitting that no one should pity a person who can share, during their time here, such an intimate connection with Rosings."

Words were not enough to express the fullness of his feelings. So Mr. Collins had to walk about the room. Elizabeth tried, in a few short words, to combine politeness with sincerity.

"Indeed, my dear cousin, when you return to Hertfordshire, you will be able to speak very well of us. At least I trust you will be able to do so. You have seen with your own eyes, every day, how much attention Lady Catherine shows to Mrs. Collins. Considering everything, I trust my friend will not appear to have chosen a very unhappy match. But it is better that I say no more on this subject. My dear Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I will only say that I sincerely, and most earnestly, hope that you too will find the same happiness in marriage. My dear Charlotte and I are one in heart and in the way we think. Our characters and our ways of thinking are remarkably alike in every way. It is as though we were born for each other."

Elizabeth could truthfully assure him that such a situation would be great happiness indeed. She could add, just as sincerely, that she was glad to firmly believe he enjoyed comfort in his home life. But she did not entirely mind when the lady who had brought him such happiness came in and interrupted their talk. Poor Charlotte! It was sad to leave her behind with such a man. But Charlotte knew clearly what she had chosen. She was clearly sorry to see her guests leave, yet she did not seem to want their pity. Her house and her housekeeping, her parish and her chickens, and all the tasks that came with them, still held their charm for Charlotte.

At last the carriage came. After the trunks were fixed on and the parcels put inside, word was given that everything was ready. The two friends said an affectionate goodbye. Then Mr. Collins walked Elizabeth out to the carriage. As they walked down the garden together, he asked her to give his deep respects to her whole family. He did not forget to thank them for the kindness they had shown him at Longbourn that winter. He also sent his regards to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though he had never met them. Then he held out his hand to help Elizabeth in, and Maria followed. Just as the door was about to close, Mr. Collins suddenly remembered that they had not left any message for the ladies at Rosings. He looked rather startled.

"But," he added, "of course you will wish me to give your humble respects to them both, and to thank them for the kindness they have shown you during your stay."

Elizabeth did not object. Only then did the door close, and the carriage set off.

For a few minutes, all was quiet. Then Maria cried out, "Goodness! It feels as if we only arrived a day or two ago! And yet so many things have happened!"

"Indeed, so many," Elizabeth said with a sigh.

"We dined at Rosings nine times, and drank tea there twice! How much we will have to talk about!"

Elizabeth added to herself, "And how much I will have to hide!"

There was little conversation on the way, and nothing surprising happened. Four hours after leaving Hunsford, they arrived at Mr. Gardiner's house, where they were to stay for a few days.

Jane looked well. Because of the many kind plans their aunt had arranged, Elizabeth had little chance to study her sister's spirits. But Jane was to travel home with her. There would be plenty of time to observe her once they reached Longbourn.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth wanted to tell her sister about Mr. Darcy's proposal. It was hard to wait even until they reached Longbourn. The thought of revealing something that would greatly astonish Jane was sure to satisfy even her own vanity, which reason had not yet fully overcome. The wish to tell everything was almost impossible to resist. But she had not yet decided how much she should say. She was also afraid that once she began, she might be led to say things about Bingley that would make her sister even sadder. That hesitation and fear were what kept Elizabeth silent.