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Elizabeth watched Mr Collins. He remained near the chair, flexing the fingers Mrs Hurst had touched. The cheerful certainty with which he generally occupied a room had deserted him.

Charlotte approached him and spoke low enough that Mrs Bennet’s complaints nearly concealed the words. “Did she hurt you?”

“No, no.” Mr Collins shook his head with excessive vigour. “Mrs Hurst did nothing. Her hand was merely...”

Charlotte waited.

He glanced at the door through which the visitors had departed. “It was nothing.”

His refusal did not satisfy her, but Charlotte understood the value of leaving a question alone until the answer became less frightening. She announced that she must return to Lucas Lodge and collected her bonnet.

Mr Collins recovered enough gallantry to offer his escort. Mrs Bennet prevented the sacrifice by declaring that the girls intended to walk into Meryton after luncheon and would be delighted by his company.

Mr Collins turned towards Elizabeth. “In that case, I shall reserve my services for my cousins.”

Elizabeth raised one eyebrow.

Charlotte saw it, smiled, and took her leave.

Jane returned upstairs to rest, while Lydia and Kitty rushed away to prepare for Meryton. Mary followed more slowly, carrying the sermons she was perpetually reading. Mr Collins sat and began describing the scenic walks around Hunsford.

Elizabeth listened with the growing certainty that, once they left the house, he intended to attach himself to her side with all the determination of an oyster and none of its discretion.

After an early luncheon, Elizabeth left Longbourn with Mary and Mr Collins so close to her other side that their sleeves brushed whenever the road narrowed. Kitty and Lydia walked several feet ahead, surveying the fields with little interest and every approaching bend with great hope. The countryside had never improved through the sudden appearance of a red coat, but they remained willing to see it attempt the transformation.

Jane had returned to bed, not because she felt unwell, but because Mrs Bennet insisted that her recovery must be preserved until Mr Bingley arrived to admire it. Elizabeth had promised they would not remain long in Meryton. Lydia had made no such promise and regarded Elizabeth’s as a private arrangement which did not concern her.

“The walks around Hunsford are exceptionally fine,” Mr Collins returned to his favourite subject as they passed through the Longbourn gates. “Lady Catherine frequently takes the air in her phaeton and has indicated which paths ought to be widened for the benefit of the neighbourhood.”

“How fortunate for the paths,” Elizabeth replied.

Mr Collins inclined his head. “Her ladyship’s improvements are always undertaken with the greatest discernment. She considers regular exercise essential for young ladies, provided they neither walk too quickly nor expose themselves to unsuitable weather. Sun, especially. She always avoids it.”

Mary turned to him with genuine interest. “Moderate exercise has long been considered beneficial to contemplation. The mind may achieve clarity when the body is usefully occupied.”

Mr Collins glanced across Elizabeth to acknowledge her. “Very true, Cousin. Lady Catherine has expressed a similar principle, although with greater precision.”

Mary’s mouth tightened. She had offered him contemplation and received Lady Catherine in return, which was enough to offend any woman with a mind and several unread sermons.

Elizabeth attempted a second rescue. “Mary is interested in the responsibilities of a clergyman’s household. Perhaps you might tell her about your parish.”

“I should be delighted.” Mr Collins smiled at Mary before directing his answer to Elizabeth. “The wife of a rector must be active, economical, and attentive to the poor without encouraging dependence. The Hunsford parsonage is suited to such a woman. The stillroom is modest but adequate, and the poultry shed may be observed from an upper window.”

Mary walked faster.

Mr Collins matched Elizabeth’s pace and continued describing the parsonage. Its rooms were sufficient, its garden required a tasteful feminine hand, and its proximity to Rosings ensured that Lady Catherine could provide advice before errors became permanent. He spoke of these advantages while gazing at Elizabeth with such benevolent expectation that no proposal was necessary to make his intentions alarming.

Ahead of them, Lydia stopped at the crest of the road and shaded her eyes.

“I can see Meryton, but no officers.”

Kitty joined her survey. “There may be officers inside the shops.”

“There had better be. We have walked all this way.”

Mary passed them without slowing. “The purpose of walking is not invalidated by an absence of uniforms.”

Lydia hurried after her. “You would not say that if officers wore black coats and carried sermons.”