"But," he added, "you will of course wish to have your humble respects delivered to them, with your grateful thanks for their kindness to you while you have been here."

     Elizabeth made no objection; the door was then allowed to be shut, and the carriage drove off.

     "Good gracious!" cried Maria, after a few minutes' silence, "it seems but a day or two since we first came! and yet how many things have happened!"

     "A great many indeed," said her companion with a sigh.

     "We have dined nine times at Rosings, besides drinking tea there twice! How much I shall have to tell!"

     Elizabeth added privately, "And how much I shall have to conceal!"

     Their journey was performed without much conversation, or any alarm; and within four hours of their leaving Hunsford they reached Mr. Gardiner's house, where they were to remain a few days.

     Jane looked well, and Elizabeth had little opportunity of studying her spirits, amidst the various engagements which the kindness of her aunt had reserved for them. But Jane was to go home with her, and at Longbourn there would be leisure enough for observation.