Chapter 28

           Everyobjectinthenextday’sjourneywasnewandinterestingtoElizabeth; andherspiritswereinastateofenjoyment; forshehadseenhersisterlookingsowellastobanishallfearforherhealth,andtheprospectofhernortherntourwasaconstantsourceofdelight. 

           WhentheyleftthehighroadforthelanetoHunsford,everyeyewasinsearchoftheParsonage,andeveryturningexpectedtobringitinview. ThepalingsofRosingsParkwastheirboundaryononeside. Elizabethsmiledattherecollectionofallthatshehadheardofitsinhabitants. 

           AtlengththeParsonagewasdiscernible. Thegardenslopingtotheroad,thehousestandinginit,thegreenpales,andthelaurelhedge,everythingdeclaredtheywerearriving. Mr.CollinsandCharlotteappearedatthedoor,andthecarriagestoppedatthesmallgatewhichledbyashortgravelwalktothehouse,amidstthenodsandsmilesofthewholeparty. Inamomenttheywerealloutofthechaise,rejoicingatthesightofeachother. Mrs.Collinswelcomedherfriendwiththeliveliestpleasure,andElizabethwasmoreandmoresatisfiedwithcomingwhenshefoundherselfsoaffectionatelyreceived. Shesawinstantlythathercousin’smannerswerenotalteredbyhismarriage;hisformalcivilitywasjustwhatithadbeen,andhedetainedhersomeminutesatthegatetohearandsatisfyhisinquiriesafterallherfamily. Theywerethen,withnootherdelaythanhispointingouttheneatnessoftheentrance,takenintothehouse; andassoonastheywereintheparlour,hewelcomedthemasecondtime,withostentatiousformalitytohishumbleabode,andpunctuallyrepeatedallhiswife’soffersofrefreshment. 

           Elizabethwaspreparedtoseehiminhisglory; andshecouldnothelpinfancyingthatindisplayingthegoodproportionoftheroom,itsaspectanditsfurniture,headdressedhimselfparticularlytoher,asifwishingtomakeherfeelwhatshehadlostinrefusinghim.