It became apparent that evening, however, that not all of the way-houses in France were as respectable or as clean as those they had thus-far encountered. The road dividing at Abbeville, Mr. Darcy had determined to take the westerly route passing through Granvilliers above Amiens, avoiding the much-praised cathedral that dominated the town, and ignoring the received wisdom that Granvillier’s inns were best avoided. Georgiana and her brother shared an extraordinary avidity for history, and Mr. Darcy was especially eager to explore Caesar’s Mount, which the Granvilliers road passed close-by. The entrenchments were discernable still, having been carefully preserved. However, their various guides de voyages were proved far too lenient on the deplorable state of the inns, unspeakably bad food, and disobliging manners the Darcys encountered at Granvilliers. So near to their arrival at Calais, the family had not expected such disagreeable accommodations, and after a dreadful dinner of stale bread, foul wine, and an anonymous cheese, they retired early to their beds—Elizabeth most thankful to have brought their own linens—all united in a wish to decamp at an early hour the next morning.

The scenery had hitherto been unexceptional, but the road from Abbeville to Granvilliers was lined with formerly abandoned monasteries and convents, which had been re-invented by Buonaparte as manufactories of diverse goods. A feeling of prosperity was discernable even in the poorest quarters, and it was clear that agriculture and industry were become more established than might otherwise have been the case. The closer the carriage advanced upon Paris, the more prosperous and ordered became the landscape. Darcy took pleasure in pointing out particular plants and fruits, and when he noticed a variety of especial interest, they stopt to enquire of a farmer of some cuttings, which were then carefully bundled in damp hessian, and stored in a lined case that Darcy had bespoken for the purpose. Vineyards appeared on the hills, the Cathedral of Beauvais could be seen rising above the woods in the distance, and here and there were seen some very fine houses in tolerable repair. A brief rain had fallen early in the morning, laying the dust somewhat, making their road yet more pleasant. Elizabeth was in fine spirits as the carriage approached Beauvais; looking at her husband and sister, she was again grateful for her many blessings and the present joy of travel.

CHAP. 25.