Mr. Collins returned into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted by the Gardiners and Jane; but as he took up his abode with the Lucases, his arrival was no great inconvenience to Mrs. Bennet. His marriage was now fast approaching, and she was at length so far resigned as to think it inevitable, and even repeatedly to say, in an ill-natured tone, that she "wished they might be happy." Thursday was to be the wedding day, and on Wednesday Miss Lucas paid her farewell visit; and when she rose to take leave, Elizabeth, ashamed of her mother's ungracious and reluctant good wishes, and sincerely affected herself, accompanied her out of the room. As they went downstairs together, Charlotte said:

     "I shall depend on hearing from you very often, Eliza."

     "That you certainly shall."

     "And I have another favour to ask you. Will you come and see me?"

     "We shall often meet, I hope, in Hertfordshire."

     "I am not likely to leave Kent for some time. Promise me, therefore, to come to Hunsford."

     Elizabeth could not refuse, though she foresaw little pleasure in the visit.