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“Yes, but they made far too much of it. Their carriage wheel broke, and they were trying to reach Netherfield but had missed the turning in the mist. I happened to be there, that is all. A happy coincidence.”

“Are they as proud and arrogant as Mr Darcy?” Lydia asked.

“Not at all. They are truly lovely people — very amiable.”

“On the way to Oakham Mount? What on earth were you doing there, Lizzy?” Mrs Bennet asked. “Never mind. I do not want to hear. You probably took one of your walks that you know I disapprove of. I do not need more distress. My poor nerves have suffered too long with Jane’s illness.”

“But, madam,” Mr Bennet said in his usual dry tone, “if Lizzy had not taken that particular walk, she would not have found those titled people, and then they would have had no chance to approve of your daughters.”

“Mr Bennet, I shall not even answer as you find great pleasure in teasing me.”

“I confess I do. But if you will not answer, I hope you will at least listen, as I have news. Later today, we are to expect a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes, my cousin Mr Collins, the one who will one day inherit Longbourn. He wrote to me a few weeks ago that he wishes to renew our connection and will begin doing so today, around four in the afternoon.”

His tone was still one of wry amusement, but Elizabeth noted his slight anxiety.

“Let us hope he is a decent, reasonable man, Papa.”

“I doubt that very much, Lizzy. In fact, considering his letters, I expect him to be quite the opposite. Just make sure you order a good dinner, Mrs Bennet. If we feed him well, he might allow you to stay in the house a little longer after I die.”

“Mr Bennet, how can you torture me like this?” his wife cried in despair. “I hope that man will break his carriage wheel and get lost too and nobody will ever find him!”

“That is a very unkind hope, but I am sorry for upsetting you, Mrs Bennet. It was a poor joke, and I apologise for it. I shall return to my library before I speak more nonsense.”

Elizabeth was tempted to mention that the Dunnroys might call too, but she refrained from giving her mother expectations that might not be fulfilled; the entire family was already distressed by Mr Collins’s impending arrival.

***

Mr Collins’s carriage wheel did not break and did not miss the turning to Longbourn, so he arrived at the established hour — four o’clock in the afternoon.

As Mr Bennet had presumed, less than half an hour later he had proved himself to possess little wit, a ridiculous tendency to dispense compliments with every other sentence, and to mention his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who had granted him a living in the parish of Hunsford, even more often.

The moment he stated his intention of finding a wife very soon — as Lady Catherine had recommended — Mrs Bennet became friendly and attentive towards him. During dinner, Mr Collins began by complimenting Jane, then — following a brief discussion with Mrs Bennet after the first course — he turned his attentions to Elizabeth, much to her annoyance and Mr Bennet’s amusement.

After dinner, they played some cards, and Mary performed at the pianoforte. Since their guest was tired from his journey, everyone retired for the night rather early, but still Mrs Bennet found a little time to explain to Elizabeth what an admirable gentleman Mr Collins was and what a steady, comfortable situation in life he possessed. Elizabeth avoided an argument as she longed for the comfort and silence of her chamber.

Although she expected to fall asleep quickly and easily, considering her previous wakeful night, Elizabeth was not so fortunate. Not even the familiarity of her own bed helped her escape the restlessness that returned together with all the recollections from the night before.

Closing her eyes, the details became clear in her mind: the dark library, the chill in the air, the dim light of the moon and fireplace, Mr Darcy’s appearance, his voice, his dumbfounded expression, his neck exposed to view, the shirt with its rolled-up sleeves, his trousers, which she had not looked at closely yet still remembered too well, his fingers touching hers — why was that sensation so disturbing? She had danced with many men and all of them had held her hands. Why was that particular time so different? Could the inappropriateness of their attire have changed everything so utterly? Or the late hour?

The mortification of being caught by Lord Dunnroy had mostly disappeared after her honest conversation with Lady Cecilia. But still, something remained in her mind and bothered her: the part about Mr Darcy finding a more discreet location for his meetings, to avoid scandal. It was not about her, of course, so it should not be her concern; in fact, she should forget it entirely, as she had no business thinking about Mr Darcy’s private meetings.

Even though the subject was forbidden, Lady Cecilia had spoken of the intimate matter with ease and amusement. Just as her ladyship had spoken about Mr Darcy refusing to dance with her too. The fact that she and Lady Cecilia had both received a rejection from Mr Darcy was entertaining.

Tiredness eventually overcame Elizabeth, and she did not awaken until the sun was well over the horizon, rested and in much better spirits.

Apparently, Mr Collins had slept well, too, and his spirits were also high as he was very talkative and expressed an opinion about everything.

Lydia and Kitty planned to go to Meryton to visit Maria Lucas, and Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary decided to join them.

“Mr Collins, you should go too,” Mrs Bennet said, much to the annoyance of all her daughters.

“I would be delighted to keep my fair cousins company! Cousin Elizabeth, I am counting on you to introduce me to everyone and everything worth knowing in Meryton!”

With much enthusiasm from the clergyman — who barely paused for breath — and much frustration from the ladies, the party walked the short distance from Longbourn to Meryton rather quickly.