صفحة 351 من 817

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 neighbourhood 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 favourite 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.