Charlotte, knowing she had little time, and still determined to get to the bottom of the tendencies of her friend's endeavor, spoke immediately as the door shut behind them.
"I cannot know how you fancied this would playout, but I must now wonder how you mean to manage Lady Catherine whilst in town. I suppose this in not at all what you had intended."
"I hardly know what I had intended, only that perhaps Lady Catherine would express her displeasure in such a way that the machinations would cease before they truly took root. I thought perhaps an angry letter to the Bingley's. I of course suspected Mr. Darcy would be abused by his aunt, but I hardly had time to think on the matter more fully before sealing the letter. I must admit my motive entirely provocation, with little thought given to its outcome."
Charlotte sighed. She could not envy Eliza's predicament. "Do take care that you do not become the object of Lady Catherine's ire. I know it is not in your nature to be overly deferential, or to be easily intimidated, but I must tell you, it makes me uneasy to send you off in her care, at least while you are so little concerned with provoking her. Her station in life is of a great deal more consequence than yours, and most are not so quick to dismiss the word of someone with a real place in society. Do remember, your reputation in London society will now be defined by what Lady Catherine says of her guest. It may prove to be a great opportunity for you, or it may well cause you to be remembered in a way that you would not wish."
"I hardly head to London to catch a husband, Charlotte. Indeed as I have only my charms to recommend me, tis likely Lady Catherine's circles will only sneer." Said Elizabeth, her tone both dismissive and playful.
"The ladies for sure, but the gentleman not in need of pecuniary inducements to enter the wedded state is precisely where an opportunity may be found. Mr. Darcy looks at you a great deal Eliza, and you well know it is not my belief a young man stares so much to find fault."
Elizabeth was quickly reminded of her disgust; her temper rising with her contempt, she said. "Pray, do not speak of that as nothing else can vex me quite the same. That conceited, pompous man had the nerve to imply I should be flattered at his base attraction toward me and think myself lucky to have his attentions."
"Good God, has he implied he means something other than matrimony then?" exclaimed Charlotte, quite shocked. "I would not have thought it of him, to induce as respectable girl from her home for such a life of infamy, and one with sisters to consider, at that."
Elizabeth blushed, having previously failed to see the implications of her speech, and said hurriedly "I cannot say I thought that, though I halted such discourse so immediately, expressing my displeasure, that he could not make further sentiments known. Though he could not have meant matrimony as he has frequently expressed his disapprobation through both looks and deeds. I can only now believe the abuse he suffered this morning is not nearly enough! Oh, Charlotte, to think I failed to consider."
"Eliza, as I understand it, Mr. Darcy is accepted as an honorable man by all who know him. Perhaps, you have missed an opportunity by halting his speech, though I would urge, out of an abundance of caution, to encounter him only in the presence of others. Though, it may do a great deal of good to keep within eyesight, though not within hearing, that he may make himself understood. Surely, you will encounter him in London, as that is likely atleast part of Lady Catherine's purpose."
Elizabeth was now livid. "You cannot mean to say I would wish to consider an offer of matrimony from such a man! As to Mr. Darcy being honorable and respected, let us not pretend that society would hold it against him to make such an offer, no, it is the woman who must take the full share of blame. I believe, Ma'am, I may safely promise never again to give him opportunity to speak privately with me.''
"Have you then, had other private discussions with him? Eliza, I must ask, have you been often alone in Mr. Darcy's company, since arriving at Rosings?"
"Indeed not, he has only occasionally come upon me in the grounds, but always within plain view of anyone who cared to look, you need not feel unsettled on that account." Said Elizabeth, wishing to give Charlotte no indication their was ground for hope or concern. Sharing her vexation at his frequent intrusions could provide no advantage to her here.
"Has he then, given any indication of his intent?"
Before Elizabeth could be made to answer, their conversation was intruded upon by a great deal of noise below that seemed to speak the whole house into a sudden chaos; and, after listening a moment, they heard Lady Catherine in a violent hurry, and calling loudly for her carriage, insisting she should not be made to wait.
"I shall go down and calm her, but do hurry, Eliza, and do not think I shall forget to entreat upon you to finish this discourse."
"Yes, yes, go before the whole house is in an uproar. I must beg of you not to put a word of this business in a letter."
Charlotte, seeing the sense in her friends entreaty, sighed heavily.
"But fear not, when next we met again, I shall tell all." Said Elizabeth, briefly hugging her friend then urging her out the door, even as Mr. Collins began hurry up the stairs, while insisting Lady Catherine should not be made to wait, his great heavy breaths, brought on by the sudden exercise, were made apparent by the sudden brakes in his speech.
"Do not think I shall forget to ask," said Charlotte as she exited the room. Elizabeth then hurriedly began throwing the rest of her possession in her trunks, while ringing for a maid to remove them. Thinking it wise to not risk Lady Catherine's censure, or her cousin's interference, she worked as quickly as possible, thinking it better to leave an item behind than to further delay her departure.
Before she could fully catch her breath and after barely taking her leave, Elizabeth found herself entering the much spoken about Barouche Box, with the door promptly slamming shut behind her and Charlotte's question lingering in her head. Had Mr. Darcy given any indication as to his intent?
But he could not expect his aunt to welcome his mistress at Rosings… Elizabeth thought. She started turned white with her recollection, it struck her that in the course of their encounters that he was asking some odd unconnected questions—about her pleasure in being at Hunsford, her love of solitary walks, how far she would be willing to live from her relations, and her opinion of Mr. and Mrs. Collins's happiness, of what constituted happiness in matrimony; and that in speaking of Rosings, and her not perfectly understanding the house, he seemed to expect that whenever she came into Kent again she would be staying there too.
She was uneasy with the implications of her sudden realization and sought to sweep them away. But nor could Mr. Darcy expect her ladyship to welcome any other wife than her daughter. She could not like the implied insult that she would allow any man to take her as a mistress, but nor could she like the idea that a man who had so frequently insulted herself and her family would consider himself as a potential husband. To her confusion, she both felt both insults equally, though it was apparent the former should be considered a far greater insult than the later; nevertheless, her emotions could not be brought to submit to her reason. Attention, forbearance, patience with Darcy, was further injury to herself and Jane and even Miss de bourgh. He could surely not mean to parade another wife in front of the young lady he had rejected. Did he think of no one's comfort but his own?
"And what, pray tell is on your mind Miss Bennet?" inquired Lady Catherine in such a tone, that it was an apparent demand. I struck Elizabeth suddenly that her expressiveness had clearly betrayed her thoughts.
"I only hope I have not given offence to my hosts, with my hasty departure." Said Elizabeth demurely.
"The Collins' shall take offence where I tell them to Miss Bennet. As to that, you may be assured. They could have no greater hope for the outcome of your visit than my attentions to you."
"You ladyship is too kind, I thank you for including me in your travels, ma'am."
As she looked up she realized that they were already gone from Hunsford, already some ways down the road and that her journey from Kent should likely feel much longer than her journey to it, on account of the difference in company she could now expect. Lady Catherine would make no admirable travel companion, and Elizabeth could not look forward to the journey. She was desperate to review the events of the last few days and make some sense of them, but knew she would be subject instead to her ladyships impertinent and condescending questions.