Pagina 353 de 817

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 Catherine to

require them, for Mr. Darcy had brought with him a Colonel

Fitzwilliam, the younger son of his uncle, Lord ----; and, to the

great surprise of all the party, when Mr. Collins returned, the

gentlemen accompanied him. Charlotte had seen them from her

husband's room, crossing the road, and immediately running into

the other, told the girls what an honour they might expect,

adding,--

"I may thank you, Eliza, for this piece of civility. Mr. Darcy

would never have come so soon to wait upon me."