“A great many indeed,”said her companion with a sigh.
On Saturday morning Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met for breakfast a few minutes before the others appeared;and he took the opportunity of paying the parting civilities which he deemed indispensably necessary.
“We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! How much I shall have to tell!”
Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them.But Jane was to go home with her,and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation.
“You may, in fact, carry a very favourable report of us into Hertfordshire,my dear cousin.I flatter myself at least that you will be able to do so. Lady Catherine's great attentions to Mrs. Collins you have been a daily witness of;and altogether I trust it does not appear that your friend has drawn an unfortunate―but on this point it will be as well to be silent.Only let me assure you, my dear Miss 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.There is in everything a most remarkable resemblance of character and ideas between us. We seem to have been designed for each other.”