Mr Collins was immensely surprised, even alarmed, especially when he found out that the family of which his wife spoke were tinkers, although he was somewhat mollified by the fact that they were encamped at the distant edges of the Rosings property and could therefore be considered to be under the protection of Lady Catherine. However, he looked at Charlotte’s set jaw and, with uncharacteristic perspicacity, knew better than to demur or argue.

The necessary letters were written, responses sent, and permissions gained; and within less than a fortnight, a small party gathered to consecrate the little patch of earth that held the remains of the gypsy child. All the women and children of the camp attended, as well as those men whose employers allowed them time away from the pressing demands of the agricultural season. They formed a ring, hats in hand, weather-bitten faces softened. A hymn was sung, to the accompaniment of a fiddle, in spontaneous harmonies that wrung tears from Charlotte. Dry-eyed at her own son’s funeral, she now wept copiously for a child she had never known, in company with most of the women present, who made no effort to mute their expressions of grief. Mr Collins, as the presiding officer of the Church, remained solemn and composed throughout, although his voice shook once or twice.

That night as husband and wife sat by the fire, respectively reading and stitching, they did not speak of Charlotte’s unusual display of emotion earlier that day; but she took Mr Collins’s hand and squeezed it with more than usual fervour, before kissing the knuckles.

CHAPTER VIII

LATER THAT SPRING, A LETTER for Mr Collins arrived from Pemberley, from Mr Darcy. He did not wish to inconvenience the Collins family, but his wife was low in spirits after illness, and he believed she would benefit from feminine company, especially as matters of business required him to travel away from home a great deal during the coming summer. Mrs Darcy had no appetite for London at present, and had expressed a wish that either Mrs Bingley or Mrs Collins might visit her, but Jane was approaching a confinement. Could Mr Collins spare his wife for some weeks or longer, if convenient? The girls would of course also be welcomed, nursemaids provided for them, and Mr Darcy would send a carriage and horses to make the journey as comfortable as possible.

There was little chance of Mr Collins refusing the master of Pemberley anything, and a reply was soon dispatched agreeing to the plan. This was in turn met by a letter from Elizabeth to Charlotte closer in tone to her old playfulness, anticipating her visit with great pleasure, and planning sorties and games for her friend and her children.