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just as I like."
"That is a nice arrangement; and you are better for coming
to Bath?"
"Yes, a great deal better. I should be able to get to work in a
very short time now, if only" (rather mournfully), "some work
could be found."
"I am sure it can, if you are patient," said Elizabeth kindly.
"The very thing one wants often drops upon one unexpectedly. Do you know our part of the world at all? You must come and pay us a visit some time; the Derbyshire air is splendidly bracing, and
would benefit you."
Morland said all that was proper, and Elizabeth, who had
been trying unsuccessfully to catch her husband's eye, continued: "We are fortunate in our Rector at home, and even more
fortunate in his wife; they have just come to Pemberley, and
oddly enough, they are related to these very people of whom we
have been talking, but as different from them as possible." "Indeed! the Ferrars, or Steele--I have not made them out
yet--"
'Mr. Edward Ferrars, our Rector, is a brother of Mr. Robert
Ferrars, husband of the lady in blue. It is rather difficult to keep
Mrs. Robert Ferrars off the subject when she is with us, as she
seems to think it establishes a sort of connection, although they
don't visit their relations."
"Perhaps they will do so now," said Morland, with a slight
smile. "It is your own parish that you mentioned?"
"Yes, it is a fair-sized village that has grown up round the
house, or, rather, round a much older house that formerly stood
on the site, It is such beautiful country, Mr. Morland! You really
must see it."
Mrs. Grant came towards Elizabeth to take leave, and they
stood chatting together while Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss
Crawford rose and joined them.
"To-morrow, then, at eleven o'clock, you are sure suits you?"
the gentleman was saying. "Mrs. Grant, your sister has been so
kind as to say that, with your permission, I may be her escort on
a ride, if a horse can be found that suits her."
"Riding? She will enjoy that," said Mrs. Grant, with
momentary surprise. "She has not ridden for a long time. We
have never tried to get her a horse in Bath."
It seemed that the whole thing had been thought out--all
difficulties could be got over, Colonel Fitzwilliam assured her, if
she would trust her sister to him for an hour or two; and Mary
having expressed a proper amount of amiability and approbation, the arrangement was confirmed.
"But what about your engagement--the day at Clifton?"
Mrs. Grant unluckily remembered, in the midst of the adieux.
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked as if he were determined to forget
the existence of such a place; Mr. Darcy reproached himself for
having furthered the scheme; and Miss Crawford immediately
said: "Oh, pray do not give that up on my account. We can ride
another day, if we care about it."
"Not at all, Miss Crawford. Excuse me, but I should not
think of giving up our plan. It is not at all necessary for me to go
to Clifton."
"It would not be fair to make you break a prior engagement.
No, let us put it off from to-morrow," was the lady's response. Elizabeth interposed with, "If you and Miss Crawford went
out a little earlier, you could still be at Clifton in time for dinner, Robert, which would quite satisfy my aunt."
Darcy joined his advice to his wife's; and as a matter can
generally be easily arranged by a number of people who are all in
favour of it, the ride was fixed for ten o'clock, and the ladies took
their departure among many promises of meeting again. James
Morland shortly afterwards left, Colonel Fitzwilliam accompanying him as far as his road lay in the direction of the livery stables; and Elizabeth sat down to write letters, but she had not got very far before a new idea struck her which must immediately be acted upon. "Darcy," she exclaimed, rising and going to her husband, who was occupied with the newspaper, "can you listen to me? I want to help Mr. Morland in some way. I was thinking about it this morning while I was talking to him. He ought to have work to do, and he is such a good