Part 29 (1/2)

CHARLOTTE.

Certainly, Mr. Darcy! [ELIZABETH _also, absent-mindedly, murmurs her a.s.sent, for which_ DARCY _lingers with vague uneasiness before departing with_ FITZWILLIAM. CHARLOTTE _looks at_ ELIZABETH _curiously, then calls to the little maid, who enters_.]

CHARLOTTE.

Martha--take these eggs to the pantry. Do not disturb them.

MARTHA.

Very well, ma'am.

[_She curtsies and goes out._]

CHARLOTTE.

[_Taking off her hat and gloves._] Now, Eliza, we must get to our work and have a comfortable chat. You have been here nearly two weeks and we really haven't had a good talk yet.

ELIZABETH.

[_Getting out her embroidery._] Yes, you promised me a quiet visit, Charlotte. But I find you are more lively here than we are at Longbourn.

[_The two ladies sit at the table with their embroidery._]

CHARLOTTE.

But how could I have antic.i.p.ated the arrival here of two very attentive young gentlemen? [_Smiling at_ ELIZABETH.] It is really quite a surprising coincidence, or else Mr. Darcy has timed his visit to his aunt very cleverly. As to these daily visits to the parsonage--you may be sure I do not take to myself the credit of them. Neither of these young gentlemen would ever come so often to see me. I have to thank you, Eliza, for this civility.

ELIZABETH.

[_With a little temper._] You may thank a lack of occupation on their part. You know very well my opinion of Mr. Darcy!

CHARLOTTE.

Yes. You have often expressed it. I wish I were as well informed of Mr.

Darcy's opinion of Eliza.

ELIZABETH.

When you know the one, you know the other. They are identical.