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The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news,

and telling again what had been already written; and when it

closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to

meditate upon Charlotte's degree of contentment, to understand

her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her

husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well. She

had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenour

of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr.

Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings. A

lively imagination soon settled it all.

About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting

ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole

house in confusion; and, after listening a moment, she heard

somebody running upstairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly

after her. She opened the door, and met Maria in the

landing-place, who, breathless with agitation, cried out,--

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