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.
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.
When to these recollections was added the development of Wickham's character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it almost impossible for her to appear tolerably cheerful.