Page 87 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

We eventually returned to Mrs Gardiner’s house with our choices made and Kitty eager to borrow a pencil. By the time tea arrived, she had sketched three new designs and was already busy improving the sleeves upon one of them.

I enjoyed the afternoon far more than the prospect of another party this evening. Jane is to take us again, and I know she will make it as pleasant as she can. Nevertheless, when we came home and found Elizabeth resting with a book, I looked at her wistfully, thinking that I would gladly have settled beside her.

I do not think I could wish to spend every winter going out so frequently. There is scarcely time to become interested in anything before one must put it aside and dress.

Kitty, who has new drawings to work upon, is for once inclined to agree with me.

29 October

Richard and Mr Byerly returned to London yesterday. Today at breakfast I had an opportunity to ask Richard about Rosings.

The very first thing he said was that Mr Byerly liked it exceedingly.

I was pleased at first. It would have been disagreeable to hear that somebody had found fault with the house in which I grew up, however little I might wish to live there myself. I know that it is handsome. Lady Catherine took care that nobody should remain ignorant of that.

Richard said that the household had made them very comfortable. The rooms which are not in use are being properly cared for, and there was nothing in the management of the house which ought to concern me.

I was relieved to hear it. I had not realised quite how much I wished to know until he told me.

“Did it seem very strange without her?” I asked.

“Yes,” Richard said. “Very quiet.”

I could imagine that.

Richard had also called at the parsonage, knowing that I should wish to hear about Charlotte, who was apparently very well.

“She asked particularly after you,” he said. “I was able to give her a very good account of your health. She was very glad to hear it, and sends her affectionate regards.”

I was pleased that he had remembered. Charlotte writes quite often, and always very kindly, but it was good to speak to somebody who had seen her so recently.

“And Mr Collins?” Elizabeth asked.

“Much improved, somewhat to my startlement. I confess I expected to find him rather lost without my aunt to tell him what to think, but Mrs Collins has taken charge of him quite admirably.” There was a twinkle in Richard’s eye. “He begins to demonstrate qualities which might almost be described as sense and compassion.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I do not believe a word of it.”

“You give Mrs Collins very little credit.”

“On the contrary, I have the highest opinion of Charlotte’s abilities. But you ask a great deal of my faith, to believe that even she may have rendered Mr Collins sensible!”

I could not help laughing too, though I was glad to hear that Mr Collins was becoming better without Lady Catherine’s pernicious influence. Charlotte had been so kind to me when kindness was not easy at Rosings. I should like to think that her own life had become more comfortable as well.

Richard went on to describe their days at Rosings. Mr Byerly had wished to see almost everything. He had spent a considerable time with the steward, walked over parts of the estate, and returned to examine rooms which Richard thought he had already seen quite thoroughly.

“He was particularly taken with the grounds,” Richard told me. “And the situation of the house.”

“They are very fine.”

“He certainly thought so.”

There was a little pause. I asked whether they had been able to tell him much that would assist him in choosing a place of his own.

“Certainly,” Richard said. “Though I think he would find it difficult to be satisfied with some of the properties he has been considering after seeing Rosings.”

I had not thought of that. “Then perhaps it was not very useful to him after all.”

Richard looked down at the head of his cane. “He would not agree with you.”