When they parted,Lady Catherine,with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year;and Miss de Bourgh exerted herself so far as to curtsey and hold out her hand to both.
“Oh!Your uncle!He keeps a man-servant,does he?I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of these things.Where shall you change horses? Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell,you will be attended to.”
Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting their journey,and as she did not answer them all herself,attention was necessary, which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her; or, with a mind so occupied,she might have forgotten where she was. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours;whenever she was alone,she gave way to it as the greatest relief;and not a day went by without a solitary walk,in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.