“Indeed, Charlotte could not have chosen a more devoted admirer. I am excessively pleased for you both.”
Lydia, unable to suppress her exuberance, burst out with a laugh.
“Only think—Charlotte engaged before any of us! Though I daresay she will be very dull at Hunsford with all those sermons.”
Kitty giggled in agreement, while Mary observed solemnly that a union founded upon mutual esteem and moral improvement promised the greatest durability.
Then Mr. Bennet, with a faint twitch of his lips, drew a folded note from his pocket.
“I have just received a note for you, Cousin. A servant from the Red Lion brought this an hour ago. Mr. Darcy writes thataffairs at Pemberley require his immediate presence; he departs tomorrow for London, and thence northward. He offers, with his usual courtesy, to convey you as far as town in his carriage, should it prove convenient. He will call us after breakfast to pay his respects and you may join him, Cousin.”
Mr. Collins’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and profound gratitude; he bowed low, his countenance radiant.
“Such condescension! Such generosity from a gentleman of Mr. Darcy’s distinction—I am overwhelmed, Cousin. To be conveyed in such style as far as London—most gratifying, most obliging indeed.”
Elizabeth regarded the note with composed curiosity, though a flicker of something—relief, perhaps, or subtle disappointment—passed across her features, swiftly concealed.
“And Mr. Bingley?” she inquired lightly. “Does he accompany his friend?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head.
“No—Mr. Bingley remains at the inn to oversee the preparations at Netherfield. Possession is near, and he is resolved to make the house ready with all possible dispatch.”
“Remains! Oh, excellent—most excellent!” Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands in renewed rapture. “Only think, girls—he will be forever calling, and Netherfield so conveniently near. We shall have dinners, and assemblies, and—”
“—and peace in the library, I trust, once the novelty subsides,”Mr. Bennet said and regarded his wife with mild irony.
Mr. Collins, his thoughts already turning toward Kent and the happy prospects that awaited him there, bowed again with earnest feeling.
“I shall accept Mr. Darcy’s kind offer with the deepest gratitude, and shall therefore depart tomorrow in his company. From London, a stagecoach will convey me swiftly to Hunsford—my duties, and… other agreeable considerations, call me thither without delay.”
Elizabeth smiled at his transparent happiness, while Mrs. Bennet pressed invitations for future visits and demanded to know whether the gentlemen would attend the assembly despite Mr. Darcy’s departure.
***
The following morning dawned crisp and fair, the sort of autumn day that rendered travel agreeable and farewells less melancholic than they might otherwise have been. The Bennet household, though accustomed to the comings and goings of relations, felt the stir of an unusual departure: Mr. Collins, with his countenance radiant with the mingled emotions of gratitude and hopeful anticipation, prepared to take his leave for Hunsford. At the same time, the intelligence that Mr. Darcy’s carriage would call for him added a degree of consequence to the occasion.
The family assembled in the hall with varying degrees of composure—Mrs. Bennet fluttering with a mixture of regret and satisfaction, her daughters disposed about her in attitudes of polite attention, and Mr. Bennet observing the scene with his customary dry amusement.
Precisely at ten o’clock, the sound of wheels upon the gravel announced the arrival of Mr. Darcy’s elegant travelling carriage, drawn by four well-matched bays. The gentlemanhimself descended with that grave dignity which marked his every movement, bowing with reserved politeness as Mr. Bennet advanced to receive him.
“Mr. Darcy,” said the host with ironic courtesy, “you are punctual to the minute—an excellence I must commend, though it hastens a departure we might otherwise have postponed.”
Mr. Darcy inclined his head, his manner correct yet betraying a faint shadow of reluctance.
“I am sensible of the honor your family has shown me, sir. Duty calls me to London and thence to Pemberley, but I trust the separation will be brief.”
Mrs. Bennet, who had been hovering with scarcely contained animation, pressed forward with eager civility.
“Mr. Darcy! Such a pleasure—though I am excessively sorry to lose you so soon. You have scarcely seen our neighborhood! But you will return for the assembly, I hope? We should be most gratified—most gratified indeed.”
Mr. Darcy’s gaze rested briefly upon the assembled ladies—lingering, perhaps, a moment longer upon Elizabeth’s composed yet lively countenance—before he replied with grave assurance.
“I shall make every effort to return for the assembly, madam. The engagement is one I should not willingly forgo.”
Mrs. Bennet beamed with triumph, while Lydia and Kitty exchanged delighted glances, and Jane colored faintly with quiet pleasure.
Mr. Collins, stepping forward with earnest deference, bowed low before his benefactor.
