The country between Vicenza and Padua was flat, and despite the lack of rain in the present season, some low parts were wet and fen-like. Crossing the Brenta on the Via Vicenza into the Via Savaronola and through the ancient ramparts of the heavily fortified city, it required no extraordinary stretch of belief to accept the assertion that Padua was northern Italy’s oldest city. Georgiana read aloud from an history of Padua: the city has used the port of Noventa Padovana since ancient times. In the thirteenth century, the first of the canals joining the port with Padua was constructed, creating a waterway between Padua and Venice. Portions of the walls around the city were still visible, with mediæval sections leading to the ancient Carmine Church, and the earliest sections within those, surrounding the old town centre, palaces and University. The Darcys did not find Padua an handsome city, excepting its University, as designed by Palladio. The most striking building in the city was the enormous Palazzo della Municipalita, built in the twelfth century to form one side of the market-place. There were wonderful ancient frescoes, but in a desperate state, despite having been repainted within memory. The Palazzo’s vast roof, unsupported by visible pillars, was said to be the largest in the world.

In the leisure before supper, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy walked about the town by themselves, and took coffee in one of the many pleasant coffee-houses near the Duomo. Later, Georgiana felt well enough that evening to join them for dinner; she ate but little, and Elizabeth’s better knowledge of her sister allowed her to discern that this briefest of civilities required a great effort. When she did labour to animate herself, it appeared she did so more for the purpose of relieving her family’s apprehensions than finding some reprieve from her own.

Writing to Jane that evening, Elizabeth gave vent to the frustrations of this portion of their route:

12th July
Padua

DEAREST JANE,

I must warn you from the outset, that I am hot, tired, and cross. Our journey to-day has been a long one, about eight leagues, but blessedly shorter than that of yesterday. The dust has been appalling, and is everywhere: on our cloathes, in our eyes, and over as well as inside every item we have within or without. It is very warm here—warmer than I can ever remember. The summer is just yet beginning; I have no wish to know better what the inhabitants of Italy must suffer in the odious heats of late July and August.