Darcy watched as the Collins party entered the drawing room at Rosings with great despair. Miss Elizabeth was not present. As Mr. Collins prattled on about the propriety of marriage between the landed gentry and tradesmen, Darcy made his way towards Mrs. Collins, who was dutifully nodding and uttering the occasional "how interesting" and "pray, go on". Darcy did not perceive her to be a ridiculous woman and therefore commended her for being able to suffer through the ridiculous sermons of her husband with a smile. Mrs. Collins was a pragmatic and admirable woman indeed.
"Pray, Mrs. Collins," Darcy whispered ,"could I have a word?"
"Good sir, now is not the right time. However, I am surprised you are not thusly called to Netherfield with as much haste as Miss Elizabeth?"
"Mrs. Collins, whatever are you mumbling over there by Darcy's ear?" demanded Lady Catherine.
"Only that we were both delighted at the happy news of the marriage between some mutuals friends, your ladyship," said Mrs. Collins.
"Ah, yes! The marriage between Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley has long been anticipated in Longbourne. One cannot fault Mr. Bingley's good heart to accept one so decidedly below his station. Yet love has interesting ways of finding its way into our lives, does it not, mr dear Mrs. Collins?" he continued without waiting for a response,"My dear cousin Jane is a most handsome girl and very fortunate indeed to have landed such a distinguished gentleman as Mr. Darcy's friend. Her intentions in doing so-"
"Are most honourable, I assure you," Mr. Darcy could not bear to listen to Collin's ridiculousness one moment longer.
Just then, Lady Catherine's footmen entered and handed Darcy a letter. He recognized it as Bingley's straightaway. "For you sir. It arrived this morning but must have slipped my mind to give it to you, pray forgive me."
"Don't worry about it," he said to the footman. And to the rest of the party, "Excuse me."
Darcy left the drawing room to read the letter in private, not wanting to show his aunt exactly how thrilled he was for both the happiness of a most beloved friend and the opportunity of reacquainting himself with his most beloved. He tore off the seal and began reading:
Darcy,
Come hither at your earliest convenience. There is a great deal to be done for the wedding which will occur in less than a month's time.
Charles
P.S. The regiment is in town. I am afraid Miss Elizabeth's attention is being solicited by quite a number of soldiers. I hear Wickham is here too. I know not of your dealings with the man, but make haste for she seems to be quite taken with his easy manners.
Darcy immediately returned to his room, sent a footman to inform the party of his departure, left a note to Fitzwilliam to apologize, and ordered a carriage post-post-haste. Darcy made his way towards Netherfield, thinking how strange it must be for Miss Elizabeth for Darcy turned up to wherever she was. He hoped his presence would not cause her pain, and that he would have but a chance to relate to her his struggles.