Bertha couldn't get any sleep alone in that cold, lonely house. So tonight, she decided to spend her night at Mr Collins's cottage.
She didn't know why but the man didn't question her for her untimely and day-long, sometimes, night-long visits. He asked about Theodora only once.
He was kind enough to keep her company. He talked with her, engaged her in hours-long conversations and let her roam around in his place comfortably.
Bertha promised him his favourite fish curry for the dinner. She came back to Zerith's house to get a few things she would need for the dish.
She heard some movement outside the house. She first ignored it, but when she heard it again, she couldn't help but think that it might be Zerith.
Nervous as hell, she ran out of the house and onto the front porch to see the coachman climbing down the carriage.
"What happened?" She asked, just noticing that he was not there when she came before.