“Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,”said Elizabeth coolly,“will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.”
Mrs.Bennet,all amazement,though flattered by having a guest of such high importance,received her with the utmost politeness. After sitting for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to Elizabeth,
“Indeed,you are mistaken,Madam.I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.”
Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
“At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”
As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following manner:―
“This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in summer;the windows are full west.”
“Yes, madam,”said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to Lady Catherine.“She is my youngest girl but one.My youngest of all is lately married,and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds, walking with a young man who,I believe,will soon become a part of the family.”