Chapter XXXVII — Pride and Prejudice

After a rupture, social life continues while the mind works overtime in private. Darcy and Fitzwilliam leave Rosings the next morning; Collins waits near the lodges to make his parting obeisance and reports them in tolerable spirits after the melancholy scene. He hurries to console Lady Catherine, who feels the diminished party acutely and insists Darcy seemed to feel the departure more than last year.

Elizabeth cannot see Lady Catherine without smiling at what might have been: presented as her future niece, with her Ladyship's indignation mere comedy now. After dinner Lady Catherine supposes Elizabeth dislikes going home, urges her to stay past six weeks, offers the barouche to London in June, and lectures on proper escorts for young women traveling post. Elizabeth refuses politely; her father has written to hurry her return.

In company Elizabeth must attend to Lady Catherine's endless journey questions or risk betraying her preoccupation. Alone on solitary walks she studies Darcy's letter until she nearly knows it by heart, indignation at his address alternating with anger at herself, compassion for his disappointment, respect but no approval, no repentance of her refusal. She broods on hopeless family defects, Lydia and Kitty's officer flirtations, and Jane's grievous loss now that Darcy's conduct toward Bingley is cleared and Bennet folly is plain. Wickham's revealed character deepens her gloom.

The last Rosings evenings return with the same frequency as the first; Lady Catherine dictates packing so minutely that Maria undoes her morning's work. They part with condescending wishes to return next year, and Miss de Bourgh courtsies and extends her hand.