The evening was spent chiefly in talking over Hertfordshire news, and telling again what had been already written;
And when it closed, Elizabeth, in the solitude of her chamber, had to meditate upon Charlotte’s degree of contentment, to understand her address in guiding, and composure in bearing with, her husband, and to acknowledge that it was all done very well.
She had also to anticipate how her visit would pass, the quiet tenor of their usual employments, the vexatious interruptions of Mr. Collins, and the gaieties of their intercourse with Rosings.
A lively imagination soon settled it all.
About the middle of the next day, as she was in her room getting ready for a walk, a sudden noise below seemed to speak the whole house in confusion;
And, after listening a moment, she heard somebody running upstairs in a violent hurry, and calling loudly after her.
She opened the door and met Maria in the landing-place, who, breathless with agitation, cried out,—
MariaOh, my dear Eliza!