You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?

ELIZABETH.

[_Growing excited._] I do not see what right Mr. Darcy had to decide on the propriety of his friend's inclination; why, upon his _own_ judgment alone, Mr. Darcy was to determine in what manner his friend was to be happy. [_Recovering herself._] But as we know none of the particulars, it is not fair to condemn him. It is not to be supposed that there was much affection in the case.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

That is not an unnatural surmise, and I believe Darcy told me that he did not think that the lady, at least, was very deeply concerned in the matter. However, to lessen the affection on either side is to lessen the honour of my cousin's triumph very sadly.

ELIZABETH.

Your cousin's triumph----

[_Greatly excited, she is about to continue, when_ CHARLOTTE'S _voice is heard outside_.]

CHARLOTTE.

Yes, Mr. Darcy, I think I saw Colonel Fitzwilliam go up the garden path a few moments ago. [_Protesting._] Oh, no, Mr. Darcy, you are too kind!

Really----

DARCY.

[_Outside._] Pray, allow me.

[CHARLOTTE _enters, accompanied by_ DARCY, _who is carrying a basket of eggs. She wears a garden hat and gloves._]

CHARLOTTE.

Ah, here he is. Good morning, Colonel Fitzwilliam. [_To_ DARCY.] Pray let me have the basket now, Mr. Darcy. [DARCY _gives_ CHARLOTTE _the basket, and then turns to_ ELIZABETH.]

DARCY.

Good morning, Miss Bennet. [ELIZABETH _returns_ DARCY'S _greeting with a self-consciousness which does not escape his notice, but the motive of which he mistakes_. DARCY _gives a quick glance from_ ELIZABETH _to_ COLONEL FITZWILLIAM, _as he turns to speak to the latter_.] Ah, Fitzwilliam, I thought I might find you here.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

[_Lightly._] Yes, I have been so fortunate as to secure some of Mrs.

Collins's early roses for Miss Bennet.

CHARLOTTE.

[_In surprise._] Really! Have they already opened?

ELIZABETH.

[_Who has by this time recovered her self-possession._] A very few of them. But Colonel Fitzwilliam was obliged to climb very near to the sun to get me these. [_She looks admiringly upon the flowers as she speaks._]

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

[_Showing the rose which_ ELIZABETH _has given him_.]

And you see I have my reward.

DARCY.

[_Smiling faintly._] Colonel Fitzwilliam might not have won his prize so easily, Miss Bennet, had there been others in the field.

ELIZABETH.

Ah, no, Mr. Darcy, I cannot lessen Colonel Fitzwilliam's achievement by admitting any such possibility.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

[_Gallantly._] Thank you, Miss Bennet!

[DARCY _turns away with an unconscious look of chagrin_.]

CHARLOTTE.

Well, surely, my roses will have to bloom their prettiest this season in return for all the attention they have received. [_To the young men._]

Will not you be seated, gentlemen?

DARCY.

[_Tartly._] Thanks, no, Mrs. Collins; I merely stopped for Colonel Fitzwilliam; but perhaps his rose-gathering has caused him to abandon our project of taking a walk together this morning.

COLONEL FITZWILLIAM.

By no means, Darcy, that pleasure has only been deferred.

DARCY.

Very good then. We will go at once, if Mrs. Collins and Miss Bennet will pardon me this hasty call.