Lizzy was at a loss to consider herself as any such thing, but fortunately for herself, she was spared the necessity of reflecting upon the issue by such continual effusions on Mrs. Parker’s part regarding the furniture, prospects from the windows, the length of the drive, the weather in Derbyshire, and so on, as to require any reply.

Georgiana had no opportunity for speech at all. Finally, at length, Mrs. Parker paused long enough on other subjects to remark on Georgiana’s cat, which was sleeping all the while on Georgiana’s lap, in spite of the noise of Mrs. Parker. Elizabeth was amazed at the undisturbed composure of the animal, but recollecting its deafness, was momentarily envious of the poor animal’s defect. Georgiana thanked Mrs. Parker for the compliment, but got on no further at dialogue than had Lizzy.

After Mrs. Parker had retired for the evening, Georgiana came to Elizabeth’s apartments to wish her good-night, and to ask if Elizabeth required her to attend with Mrs. Parker in the morning on a drive around the park. Elizabeth replied, “No, of course not, if you do not like it, and I do not wonder at your wishing a few hours’ quiet. Do not you regard Mrs. Parker as very unlike her husband? For my part, I wonder at his choice.”

“I have not thought about it before, Elizabeth, but no, I do not wonder. Mrs. Parker is a good-natured, kindly woman, and obviously dotes on her husband and children. To me his choice seems not only natural, but wise.”

“Yes,” replied Elizabeth, “but Mr. Parker is a worldly, reading man. How can such a man respect a partner whose mind is so dissimilar to his own?”

“I cannot disagree with your comparison, Elizabeth; however, remember that, in addition to her good nature, Mrs. Parker is very pretty, and I believe that gentlemen usually give such a virtue more weight in their choice of a wife than we might prefer to credit. In addition, Mrs. Parker has made him a very attentive wife and devoted mother.”

“Oh yes!” cried Elizabeth, “She is so attentive that their house must be in perpetual derangement, as well as having no fruit!”

“Dearest Elizabeth,” said Georgiana smiling, “I hope you are not so severe upon my house-keeping.”

“Georgiana, as always you are right. No, you are not right, you are good, which is much better. I am humbled, and will allow Mrs. Parker to be Mrs. Parker in a bid to regain your good opinion. Have I any hope?”

Georgiana kissed Elizabeth good-night, and turned at the door saying, “I know you too well to believe that you could really mean anything unkind, so my good opinion can never be lost.”