Calais itself was small and pleasant, consisting of not above eight streets. Darcy determined, as there was no reason to tarry in Calais, that they would leave as soon as possible for Paris. At the recommendation of a fellow passenger on board the King George, Darcy had passed by Quillacq’s and secured very acceptable lodgings at L’Hôtel d’Angleterre, more familiarly known to the residents as Dessin’s. Elizabeth and Georgiana soon found themselves comfortably placed in the hôtel, which provided the travellers with the conveniences of a large court and garden, commodious baths, a small theatre, and a restaurant. The establishment was tolerably clean with excellent, comfortable furniture. The fare, however, was well above the average of the English way-side inns and the cost reasonable, even given such a difference in the quality of the supper, a pleasure the Darcys were to encounter frequently in France. Having the custom of all persons of rank passing through Calais, Dessin’s provided the Darcy ladies with an opportunity to observe their fellow itinerants at that establishment. Elizabeth always approached her surveys with an uncommon enthusiasm, this day’s especially so, as being her first in a foreign country. In the meantime, Darcy busied himself with seeing to the care of the horses, and assessing the condition of the carriages and their baggage. Only when he was satisfied with the arrangements for the morrow did he return to their lodging.

After dressing for dinner and removing to the dining room to meet Elizabeth and Georgiana, Darcy was approached by a smart-looking officer who introduced himself as Major Townsend, a friend of Colonel Fitzwilliam. Having done so, he was rewarded with an introduction to Elizabeth and Georgiana, the latter of whom he obviously admired. The Darcys were invited to dine with his company, which included a singular-looking older gentleman, a Mr. B——, of great notoriety, living amongst the hundreds who had fled England to avoid gaming debts, and was now resident at Dessin’s through the generosity of his remaining friends. The evening, therefore, provided all the novelty and intrigue that could reasonably be expected on the first night of an adventure, although Georgiana confided to Elizabeth at the end of the evening that the attentions of Major Townsend had made her feel quite uneasy.

“I know it is the fashion in France for ladies and gentlemen to dine out together, but I confess it makes me uncomfortable, for there is no escape—no possible relief—from an intercourse which may not be desirable to at least one of the parties. I do not possess that easy manner of speaking with strangers with which so many others are blessed, and you particularly, dearest Elizabeth. I should much rather dine with my family. From your smile, I see you are going to tell me I do not sufficiently appreciate these attentions and should welcome the admiration of a respectable Englishman, are you not?”