After supper, Georgiana, being equally sensitive to the shortcomings of Mary’s performance and the joy she had in exhibition, was determined to decline Mrs. Collins’s invitation to follow her own recital, and subsequently heard the triumph of Mr. Collins, who leaned down to his wife as she was closing the instrument to whisper, “You see, my love, she won’t play after you, for she knows that her playing is not equal to yours.” So saying, he turned to Georgiana and was so overtly obsequious to her and Mr. Darcy for the duration of the visit, that it was with little regret the Darcys took their leave the following Monday morning.

A few days’ farther travel brought them into Kent; however, as Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh were abroad, they were able to avoid calling in at Rosings. Reaching Dover on the following evening, they obtained good rooms and a private parlour at Streiker’s. Arrangements had been made for the party to embark across the channel on the following day. Unfortunately, the following morning they learnt that their vessel, the sloop King George, engaged in the mail-service between Dover and Calais, had been delayed in port due to an unfavourable wind, postponing their crossing for at least one day; there was no guarantee that to-morrow’s wind would be any better, and so they were obliged to make themselves as comfortable as possible, and enjoy what diversion could be found in their surroundings.

“I am sorry to relate that we are unable to sail to-day. I have just left Mr. Flite’s, where the horses and baggage are secured, and he went to the port on purpose this morning to determine if the ship would be sailing; most regrettably, it is not,” said Mr. Darcy as he entered their rooms at the hôtel.

Elizabeth replied first, “That is inconvenient, indeed; however, the lack of wind for the sails also means a calm day for our walking abroad and seeing the town, at our leisure. Georgiana, would you like to walk out with me? Mr. Darcy?”