“This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in summer;the windows are full west.”
Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
“Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it,if you will favour me with your company.”
“At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”
“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.”
“It is nothing in comparison of Rosings,my lady,I dare say;but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas's.”
“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.”
Mrs.Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner, and then added:
Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was.
“I hope you are well,Miss Bennet.That lady,I suppose,is your mother.”
“Indeed,you are mistaken,Madam.I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here.”