Not wishing to give Elizabeth uneasiness on the subject, at length Mr. Darcy replied, “As these visitors provide what can only be described as a second income for our house-keeper and head gardener—both of whom receive substantial remuneration for their enterprise of shewing visitors about the house and grounds—I believe there is very little we can do to limit those determined to see Pemberley that would not be regarded both as uncivil to respectable families, as well as illiberal upon the perquisites of valued servants, Elizabeth. However, you will be gratified to hear I have lately formed the opinion that the only alternative available to us is retribution. Should you like make a trip of our own? I have long wished to return to Scotland, to explore the Highlands and Moray; and, as you have never visited that part of the world, I should think we could—between us—make a fine job of outstaying our welcome in the homes of others, and simultaneously avoid the inconvenience in our own.”

With Elizabeth predisposed to any expedient promising relief, and immediately feeling more complacent about the volume of footfalls she could hear descending the main staircase above them, the Darcys set about planning their route, engaging Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana to accompany them. Besides a mutual inclination to please the other, the Darcys found a very agreeable diversion in touring the Kingdom, travelling whenever the roads and weather allowed for a tolerably comfortable journey. They did not spend the season in London, but went to town when Mr. Darcy had a meeting he wished to attend, or had some other business thither. And, as the Hallendales had little desire for travel, other than the few trips they now made to London, one or more of the Darcys accompanied them whenever Colonel Fitzwilliam was not able to secure leave at a convenient time to assist His Lordship.

As a matter of course, the family frequented the theatres, the Opera House, and the Lyceum, and occasionally the Pantheon when it held an agreeable entertainment, Vauxhall, Astley’s, the great city parks, Oxford Street, Kensington Gardens, Leicester Square, and the other respectable amusements and diversions to be found in London. Oxford Street, with its broad, regular, clean pavements, street-lights, and beautiful shop-windows, was regarded by foreigners as the Ninth Wonder of the World, falling little short of Buonaparte’s Simplon for exciting wonder and awe; so much so, that visitors—as would fain compliment England or the English in any other place—were eager in their praise of Oxford Street.