Little Mrs. Collins

Charlotte Collins, wife of the Parson and mistress of Hunsford Parsonage for not yet one year, was a very happy woman indeed who occasionally pinched herself at disbelief at the sudden, extraordinary change in circumstances that had made her so. She admired Rosings, a large handsome dwelling some hundreds of yards down the lane from the Parsonage, but only the exterior. She considered everything within it too large and too grand for human comfort. Since she went infrequently, she demonstrated a proper respect, and then returned gratefully to the beloved Parsonage. Since she saw little to admire and much to criticise, she simply reminded herself, frequently, that Lady Catherine against all expectation and logic had bestowed a valuable Benefice upon an unknown, untried priest. Thus, at a remove, giving Charlotte the home and life that she loved and cherished. Her gratitude for that was beyond expressing.