Once indoors, and escorted into the presence of the ladies of the house by the footman, Charlotte undertook the introductions, and all was civilly performed without the long speeches Mr Collins was clearly itching to make. The dinner, as always, was excellent, although Charlotte could have wished for more plain cooking and fewer courses, but it served its purpose in that the visitors could admire and praise every item. It was not until coffee that Lady Catherine’s interrogation of Elizabeth got properly underway. Lizzy bore it patiently at first, but eventually she began to be sportive in her responses, and Charlotte closed her eyes as she heard her friend defend her education, and refuse to tell her ladyship her age.

‘Upon my word, you give your opinion decidedly for such a young person,’ Lady Catherine said, which response to Lizzy’s teasing answers was comparatively mild, given how seldom her ladyship was trifled with. Charlotte was nevertheless relieved when Lady Catherine offered them the use of her carriage, and accepted more promptly than usual. Mr Collins’s raptures at the condescension of their hostess lasted long past their arrival back at the Parsonage, but fortunately, Sir William, who had spent the evening storing noble names and anecdotes of the mighty in his memory, was more than happy to echo his son-in-law’s praises, sparing Charlotte the need to do so herself. All in all, she considered, the excursion had been a success, even if those in attendance would no doubt give very different reasons for the pleasure they had taken in it.

CHAPTER XXV

THE APPROACH OF EASTER BROUGHT a surprising alteration to their quiet society; Mr Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, were to visit their aunt at Rosings. Lady Catherine repeatedly trumpeted their arrival, congratulated herself on her nephew’s impending match with her daughter, and seemed almost angry that Mrs Collins and her guests had met him in Hertfordshire, thus denying her the opportunity of introductions. Charlotte noticed that Miss de Bourgh showed no interest in the imminent arrival of her intended, nor any expectation that anything might arise from his visit.

Mr Collins could not resist walking over to Rosings to pay his respects to the visitors the first day after their arrival and, to the wonder of all at the Parsonage, the gentlemen accompanied him back home to call on the ladies of the house. Charlotte saw them approaching from a window, and ran to alert the others, adding, ‘I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr Darcy would never have come so soon to wait upon me.’