Chapter 31

           ColonelFitzwilliam’smannerswereverymuchadmiredattheParsonage,andtheladiesallfeltthathemustaddconsiderablytothepleasuresoftheirengagementsatRosings. Itwassomedays,however,beforetheyreceivedanyinvitationthither—forwhiletherewerevisitorsinthehouse,theycouldnotbenecessary; anditwasnottillEaster-day,almostaweekafterthegentlemen’sarrival,thattheywerehonouredbysuchanattention,andthentheyweremerelyaskedonleavingchurchtocomethereintheevening. ForthelastweektheyhadseenverylittleofLadyCatherineorherdaughter. ColonelFitzwilliamhadcalledattheParsonagemorethanonceduringthetime,butMr.Darcytheyhadseenonlyatchurch. 

           Theinvitationwasacceptedofcourse,andataproperhourtheyjoinedthepartyinLadyCatherine’sdrawing-room. Herladyshipreceivedthemcivilly,butitwasplainthattheircompanywasbynomeanssoacceptableaswhenshecouldgetnobodyelse; andshewas,infact,almostengrossedbyhernephews,speakingtothem,especiallytoDarcy,muchmorethantoanyotherpersonintheroom. 

           ColonelFitzwilliamseemedreallygladtoseethem;anythingwasawelcomerelieftohimatRosings; andMrs.Collins’sprettyfriendhadmoreovercaughthisfancyverymuch. Henowseatedhimselfbyher,andtalkedsoagreeablyofKentandHertfordshire,oftravellingandstayingathome,ofnewbooksandmusic,thatElizabethhadneverbeenhalfsowellentertainedinthatroombefore;andtheyconversedwithsomuchspiritandflow,astodrawtheattentionofLadyCatherineherself,aswellasofMr.Darcy. hiseyeshadbeensoonandrepeatedlyturnedtowardsthemwithalookofcuriosity; andthatherladyship,afterawhile,sharedthefeeling,wasmoreopenlyacknowledged,forshedidnotscrupletocallout: