“Nor with enjoyment,” Mr. Bennet added, with such moderation of manner that the remark passed without offence.
The second course was introduced; and with it came a further easing of the party. Mr. Collins, emboldened by continued success, ventured upon a comparison between the arrangements at Rosings and those of other houses; but though his expressions were ample, they were received with sufficient patience to prevent his exceeding the bounds of indulgence.
Elizabeth, observing him, could not but reflect that his happiness, however easily secured, was at least genuine; and the reflection, joined to the general tone of the evening, contributed to a sense of quiet satisfaction which she had not expected to feel.
Mr. Darcy, on his side, was less occupied with the table than might have been supposed. His notice, though properly engaged by the table, returned more than once—without apparentintention—to Elizabeth; and if his manner remained composed, it was not without a degree of engagement which, though slight, was more apparent to himself than he cared to examine.
Once, when the servants passed between them, their eyes met again; and though neither smiled, there was in the mutual recognition something less uncertain than before.
The conversation turned, by a natural transition, to travel; and Mr. Bennet, seizing the moment, spoke with a lightness which yet carried purpose.
“We have been so much gratified by what we have seen,” he said, “that I begin to fear our own county may appear somewhat diminished upon our return.”
“That is not to be supposed,” Lady Catherine replied. “Every place has its advantages.”
“Undoubtedly,” he returned; “and I should be most happy to have them fairly appreciated by those who have shown us so much civility. If, at any time, your engagements should permit a visit to Hertfordshire, I can answer for a reception not unworthy of the attention we have received here.”
The proposal, though modestly expressed, was not without effect.
Lady Catherine regarded him with a steadiness which suggested both consideration and surprise.
“Hertfordshire,” she repeated. “It is not a direction in which I am frequently called—but I do not say that it is impossible. You are very obliging, Mr. Bennet.”
“I should not presume to expect more, madam,” Mr. Bennet said and bowed.
Mr. Darcy, who had listened in silence, did not immediately speak; yet there was in his manner a slight alteration which Elizabeth could not wholly overlook.
Anne, more simply, said, “I should like to see it once, Mama.”
Elizabeth met her with a look of warmth which required no words.
The meal drew, by degrees, toward its conclusion. The earlier constraint had entirely subsided, and though nothing approaching intimacy had been established, there prevailed a composure which rendered such a want neither felt nor required.
Lady Catherine rose.
“I am satisfied,” she said, “that the evening has proceeded as it ought.”
There was no dissent.
The gentlemen remained; and as the ladies withdrew, Elizabeth perceived, with some surprise, that her mind was not entirely at rest. The events of the day, far from being dismissed, seemed rather to have arranged themselves into something more intelligible, though not yet entirely understood.
***
For some moments after the door had closed behind the ladies, little alteration took place in the temper of the party. The servants moved quietly about the table; wine was offered and accepted; and the conversation, though less restrained than before, did not immediately abandon the measured civility which had governed the latter part of the dinner.
Lady Catherine’s absence, however, produced in Mr. Collins an almost visible uncertainty of direction. Accustomed somehow to receive both encouragement and correction from her immediate presence, he appeared for a short interval at a loss how properly to distribute his attentions; until, recollecting at once his duties as a future clergyman, he turned with solemn earnestness toward Mr. Darcy.
“I trust, sir,” Mr. Collins began, “that I shall never cease to remember the generosity with which you have this day acted in regard to my future prospects. The delicacy, as well as the liberality, of your conduct must impress itself most deeply upon every serious mind.”
Darcy, who seemed less desirous of prolonging the subject than Mr. Collins was of exalting it, replied with quiet brevity.
“You attribute too much importance to what required only common justice, Mr. Collins. I am glad that I could offer some compensation for your unexpected disappointment.”
“Justice!” Mr. Collins repeated, almost overwhelmed by such modesty. “To unite justice with consideration for the feelings of all parties concerned is, I am persuaded, a distinction possessed by very few gentlemen.”
Mr. Bennet, who had accepted a glass of wine without appearing particularly attentive to it, glanced for an instant toward Darcy.
“You must allow, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said mildly, “that when gratitude has once seized upon a man of Mr. Collins’s disposition, it is not easily persuaded into moderation.”
