Volume 2: Chapter 5 Summary

The following day the party, consisting of Sir Lucas, his daughter Maria, and Elizabeth, arrive at Hunsford. Mr. Collins and Charlotte are waiting at the garden gate for them, and as Elizabeth greets her friend, she is happier than ever with her decision to visit. Mr. Collins is as ridiculous as she remembers him being, and each time he says something inappropriate Elizabeth glances at Charlotte to see how she responds to it. Once or twice, she sees Charlotte blush slightly, but in general, she seems to choose not to notice her husband's awkward manners.

Later in the day, while Elizabeth is in her room preparing to take a walk, the house flies into a flurry of activity. Maria, Charlotte's sister, rushes upstairs and tells Elizabeth to look out the window. Elizabeth does so, and upon seeing two women outside in...