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“But,”he added,“you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here.”

At length the chaise arrived,the trunks were fastened on,the parcels placed within,and it was pronounced to be ready.After an affectionate parting between the friends,Elizabeth was attended to the carriage by Mr. Collins, and as they walked down the garden he was commissioning her with his best respects to all her family,not forgetting his thanks for the kindness he had received at Longbourn in the winter, and his compliments to Mr. and Mrs.Gardiner,though unknown.He then handed her in,Maria followed,and the door was on the point of being closed,when he suddenly reminded them,with some consternation,that they had hitherto forgotten to leave any message for the ladies at Rosings.

“I know not, Miss Elizabeth,”said he,“whether Mrs. Collins has yet expressed her sense of your kindness in coming to us;but I am very certain you will not leave the house without receiving her thanks for it.The favor of your company has been much felt, I assure you.We know how little there is to tempt anyone to our humble abode.Our plain manner of living,our small rooms and few domestics,and the little we see of the world,must make Hunsford extremely dull to a young lady like yourself;but I hope you will believe us grateful for the condescension, and that we have done everything in our power to prevent your spending your time unpleasantly.”