Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 40 Farewell to Hansford

Elizabeth and Mr. Collins met in the dining-room after breakfast on Saturday, and it turned out that they had arrived a few minutes earlier than the others.Mr. Collins hastened to take advantage of the occasion to bid her a solemn farewell, which he considered an essential courtesy.

He said: "Miss Elizabeth, I don't know if my wife has expressed her gratitude to you for your visit to the humble house this time, but I believe she will not let you go without expressing her gratitude. To tell you the truth, you We are very grateful for our visit this time. We know that no one is willing to come to us. We live in poverty, our living quarters are cramped, and there are few servants. In addition, our knowledge is shallow. A young lady like you must feel ashamed. This place in Sifford is extremely boring, but we are very grateful for your kindness this time, and we will do our best to keep you from getting bored, I hope you can forgive me."

Elizabeth thanked her very much, and said that it was a very pleasant visit, and that the six weeks had been a very pleasant one, and that Charlotte's company had been a pleasure, and she was grateful for the kindness and kindness of her hosts.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Collins was very satisfied, and immediately put on a smile, and replied solemnly: "I am very pleased to hear that you are not unhappy. We are finally done." And I feel the luckiest thing is that I can introduce you to the high-class people. Although the humble house is insignificant, it is fortunate that you have climbed to Rosings, so that you can live in a poor place like ours, and you can often come and go with them, so that you can avoid monotony. Well, that does give me the comfort of thinking that your visit to Hunsford is not a total disappointment. Lady Catherine's family has treated us with special favor and love, an opportunity that no one else could have wished for. You can also see that we are in What a position. You see we are guests with them almost all the time. To tell the truth, my vicarage is very poor and inconvenient, but whoever lives in it can share with us the deep friendship of Rosings. , this may be said to be a blessing."

His joy cannot be described in words.Elizabeth thought of some simple, heartfelt kind words to flatter him, and he walked about the room with delight when he heard them.

"Dear cousin, you can indeed go to Hertfordshire and spread the good news to us. I am sure you will. Lady Catherine is very attentive to her wife, as you see every day. All in all, I believe Your friend has not miscalculated--but it is better not to say that. Please listen to me, dear Miss Elizabeth, from the bottom of my heart I wish you the same happiness in your future marriage. My dear Charlotte We are in the same mind, no matter what happens, we are congenial and heart-to-heart, our couple is really a match made in heaven."

Elizabeth might have ventured to say that they were indeed very happy as husband and wife in this way, and she could have gone on with equal sincerity to say that she had no doubt that their home was comfortable, and that she was well.But only halfway through the conversation, the lady who was being talked about came in and interrupted her.She wasn't sorry.

Poor Charlotte!It is really a pain for her to get along with such a man day and night.But after all, she chose with her eyes wide open.She felt a little sorry to see her guests go away, but she didn't seem to ask for pity.The housekeeping, the poultry, and all the various incidents of the parish, fortunately, did not bore her entirely.

At last the carriage came, the boxes were fastened to the roof, the parcels were loaded into the carriage, and everything was tidied up and ready to go.After a reluctant farewell, Mr. Collins escorted Elizabeth into the carriage.As they walked from the garden, he sent her back to greet her family on his behalf, not forgetting to thank him for the hospitality he had received at Longburn last winter, and asking him to give his regards to the Gardiners, whom he did not know. them.Then, as he helped her into the carriage, Maria followed, and just as the doors were about to close, he reminded them suddenly and in a panic that they had forgotten to leave a farewell message to the ladies of Rosings.

"But," he went on, "you will of course wish to send them your greetings, and your thanks for their hospitality these days."

Elizabeth did not object, the door was closed, and the carriage drove away.

After a few minutes' silence, Maria exclaimed: "My God! It seems we've only been here a day or two, and a lot has happened!"

They went all the way without speaking or being startled, and reached Mr. Gardiner's house within four hours of leaving Hansford.They will be there for a few days.

Elizabeth saw that Jane looked very good, but it was a pity that she didn't have the opportunity to carefully observe whether she was in a good mood, because her aunt Domon was kind enough to arrange various programs for them long ago.Fortunately, Jane will go back with her. When we arrive at Longburn, we will have a lot of free time, so let's observe carefully then.

However, it was with difficulty that she could not wait to tell Jane of Mr. Darcy's proposal after Longbourne.She knew that she had the power of speaking to startle Jane, and, when she did speak, to gratify her own vanity, which she could not overcome intellectually.She would have liked to speak of it, but she could not make up her mind how to proceed with Jane, and was afraid that any mention of the subject would inevitably involve Bingley in some way, and might hurt her sister still more.

(End of this chapter)