Austen Said:

and she read it again. Widely different was the effect of a second perusal.

and she could not help remembering what Charlotte's opinion had always been. Neither could she deny the justice of his description of Jane.

She felt that

that

When she came to that part of the letter in which her family were mentioned in terms of such mortifying, yet merited reproach, her sense of shame was severe. The justice of the charge struck her too forcibly for denial, and the circumstances to which he particularly alluded as having passed at the Netherfield ball, and as confirming all his first disapprobation, could not have made a stronger impression on his mind than on hers.

The compliment to herself and her sister was not unfelt. It soothed, but it could not console her for the contempt which had thus been self-attracted by the rest of her family;

and as she considered that

and reflected

she felt depressed

beyond anything she had ever known before.

After wandering along the lane for two hours, giving way to every variety of thought — re-considering events, determining probabilities, and reconciling herself, as well as she could, to a change so sudden and so important, fatigue, and a recollection of her long absence, made her at length return home; and she entered the house with the wish of appearing cheerful as usual, and the resolution of repressing such reflections as must make her unfit for conversation.

She was immediately told that

— Elizabeth could but just affect concern in missing him; she really rejoiced at it. Colonel Fitzwilliam was no longer an object; she could think only of her letter.

The two gentlemen left Rosings the next morning, and Mr. Collins having been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings. To Rosings he then hastened, to console Lady Catherine and her daughter; and on his return brought back, with great satisfaction, a message from

her ladyship, importing that

Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that,

nor could she think, without a smile,

“What would she have said? how would she have behaved?” were questions with which she amused herself.

Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party.

said Lady Catherine;

Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.

Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of spirits, and immediately accounting for it by herself,

by supposing that

she added:

replied Elizabeth,

Lady Catherine seemed resigned.

Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey, and as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary,

which Elizabeth believed to be

whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.

Mr. Darcy's letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart. She studied every sentence; and her feelings towards its writer were at times widely different.

When she remembered

she was still full of indignation;

but when she considered

her anger was turned against herself; and his disappointed feelings became the object of compassion.

In her own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy defects of her family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin.

Elizabeth had frequently united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of Catherine and Lydia;

Anxiety on Jane's behalf was another prevailing concern; and Mr. Darcy's explanation, by restoring Bingley to all her former good opinion, heightened the sense of what Jane had lost.

the thought that, of

When to these recollections was added the development of Wickham's character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful.

Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last week of her stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent there; and

her ladyship again inquired minutely

gave them directions as to

and

was so urgent

that Maria thought herself obliged, on her return, to undo all the work of the morning, and pack her trunk afresh.

When they parted,

Lady Catherine, with great condescension, wished them

and

invited them

and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both.