Chapter 2
The hour had finally come; Mr. Collins was shouting to make haste, Charlotte was attempting to calm him, and Elizabeth had further fueled her contempt by returning to Jane's letters and thus found herself meditating on every single concealed undertone of suffering that could possibly be unearthed.
They exited the parsonage and proceeded to Rosings for the Tea at the appointed hour, not one of them easy. Maria Lucus was suffering anxiety over Mr. Collins's effusions at their potential tardiness. Mrs. Collins was concerned over Elizabeth's demeanor; it was exceedingly unlike her to be outwardly fuming, but she determined it best to sufficiently calm her husband before pressing her friend, nothing of importance could be discussed within his hearing. While she did not regret her alliance with Mr. Collins, she did, on occasion, regret how his limited understanding naturally restrained her participation in the world she now inhabited. As for Elizabeth, her disappointment at the confirmation of her sister's lost hopes now had her regretting her stay at the parsonage, a burden that was only added to by Mr. Darcy's coinciding visit.
They, none of them, at present could be called a merry party. Several weeks prior, Elizabeth had arrived at Rosings. Charlotte's absence had increased Elizabeth's desire of seeing her again and weakened her disgust of Mr. Collins, his ability to irritate her almost entirely forgotten; she had begun to remember it only as a source of amusement.
With the addition of Mr. Darcy to the party at the great house, every minor irritation caused by her cousin now became a source of great vexation for Elizabeth. She was little tempted to treat her cousin with the respect that she knew he ultimately deserved. As he prattled, she reflected on his every error; his sermons instructing on the worship of Lady Catherine, his irritating speeches absent anything that resembled sense, his insistence that they participate in such obsequiousness that it would degrade their own dignity if acted upon as recommended - it all now became even more of an affront to Elizabeth. As with anyone else in high dudgeon, what was previously easily dismissed now became fuel to her indignation.
Thus, all of this only added to her irritation with Mr. Darcy. What was he about? That odious man! She had repeatedly warned him off of the paths that she intended to inhabit. He persisted, however, in ruining her enjoyment. Vexing man! Her only real escape from the inanities found at the parsonage was in exploring the grounds at Rosings; nature had thus ceased to be a refuge upon his arrival, due entirely to his frequent intrusions. His purpose now became clearer to her; it added to his own enjoyment of his achievements, it was his way of mocking her. Such a man could not be expected to congratulate himself from afar, no, he had to take secret delight every time she inquired after his friend.
Charlotte imposed upon her musings by taking her arm and inquiring, "Eliza, if I may so express it, you do not appear to be in your usual spirits."
"I am not unwell, it is but a headache, surely it will pass," replied Elizabeth.
"Very well then, I thank you for coming in spite of it. I know my husband would work himself into quite the state if he thought Lady Catherine would perceive your absence as a slight. His attentiveness to her may be excessive, but we do owe her the gratitude of the living," said Charlotte, giving her friend a pointed look, hoping to convey how difficult their lives would be outside of their patroness' good graces.
"Have no fear on that score Charlotte, I find myself suddenly in accordance with her ladyship's wishes," said Elizabeth.
Charlotte could not help but to raise an eyebrow at such an ominous declaration, but alas, it was entirely too late to inquire - her husband, having made his way ahead of them, already had a hand upon the great knocker.