“How kind of Mr. Darcy to be so worried for Miss de Bourgh,” Mr. Collins said. “His affection for her is certainly growing, and Lady Catherine is expecting a marriage proposal any day now.”

“Are you sure, my dear?” Charlotte asked.

“They certainly do not behave like a couple who are courting,” Maria declared. “I have never seen either of them say a single word to the other.”

“My dear Maria, you must know that people of high society do not behave like the rest of us. They do not show their feelings so easily, especially around strangers. Besides, Lady Catherine has told me that their engagement is of a peculiar sort. They have been destined for each other since they were in their cradles. It was the particular wish of his mother and hers.”

“It sounds very complicated,” Maria replied. “I wonder why they have not married all these years.”

Mr. Collins looked appalled.

“My dear sister, let us learn never to judge either Lady Catherine or anyone in her family. They know what to do better than us.”

With that, dinner ended, and Elizabeth excused herself, blaming the same headache.

A new subject of reflection kept sleep away for most of the night. She kept thinking of that particular engagement and could not but agree with Maria. If Mr. Darcy had not proposed before the age of eight-and-twenty, the chances of it happening were scarce. Unless perhaps Mr. Darcy preferred to be single for a little longer before binding himself into a marriage. His voice when he had spoken about unequal affection in marriage indicated to Elizabeth that the subject was not completely unknown to him. As much as she tried not to allow her mind to wonder about him, she failed; her thoughts refused to turn in another direction.