第346页 / 共817页

When Lady Catherine and her daughter had played as long as they

chose, the tables were broken up, the carriage was offered to

Mrs. Collins, gratefully accepted, and immediately ordered. The

party then gathered round the fire to hear Lady Catherine

determine what weather they were to have on the morrow. From

these instructions they were summoned by the arrival of the

coach; and with many speeches of thankfulness on Mr. Collins's

side, and as many bows on Sir William's, they departed. As soon

as they had driven from the door, Elizabeth was called on by her

cousin to give her opinion of all that she had seen at Rosings,

which, for Charlotte's sake, she made more favourable than it

really was. But her commendation, though costing her some

trouble, could by no means satisfy Mr. Collins, and he was very

soon obliged to take her Ladyship's praise into his own hands.

CHAPTER XXX.