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PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen


128

Elizabeth soon perceived, that though this great lady was not in the
commission of the peace for the county, she was a most active
magistrate in her own parish, the minutest concerns of which were
carried to her by Mr. Collins; and whenever any of the cottagers
were disposed to be quarrelsome, discontented, or too poor, she
sallied forth into the village to settle their differences, silence their
complaints, and scold them into harmony and plenty.

The entertainment of dining at Rosings was repeated about twice a
week; and, allowing for the loss of Sir William, and there being
only one card-table in the evening, every such entertainment was
the counterpart of the first. Their other engagements were few, as
the style of living of the neighborhood in general was beyond the
Collinses’ reach. This, however, was no evil to Elizabeth, and upon
the whole she spent her time comfortably enough; there were half-
hours of pleasant
conversation with Charlotte, and the weather was so fine for the
time of year that she had often great enjoyment out of doors. Her
favorite walk, and where she frequently went while the others
were calling on Lady Catherine, was along the open grove which
edged that side of the park, where there was a nice sheltered path,
which no one seemed to value but herself, and where she felt
beyond the reach of Lady Catherine’s curiosity.

In this quiet way, the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away.
Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an
addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be
important. Elizabeth had heard soon after her arrival that Mr.
Darcy was expected there in the course of a few weeks, and though
there were not many of her acquaintance whom she did not prefer,
his coming would furnish one comparatively new to look at in
their Rosings parties, and she might be amused in seeing how
hopeless Miss Bingley’s designs on him were, by his behavior to
his cousin, for whom he was evidently destined by Lady
Catherine, who talked of his coming with the greatest satisfaction,
spoke of him in terms of the highest admiration, and seemed
almost angry to find that he had already been frequently seen by
Miss Lucas and herself.

His arrival was soon known at the Parsonage; for Mr. Collins was
walking the whole morning within view of the lodges opening into
Hunsford Lane, in order to have the earliest assurance of it, and
after making his bow as the carriage turned into the Park, hurried
home with the great intelligence. On the following morning he
hastened to Rosings to pay his respects. There were two nephews
of Lady
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