Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet seemed out of spirits, and immediately accounting for it by herself, by supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon,she added:
Elizabeth could not see Lady Catherine without recollecting that, had she chosen it, she might by this time have been presented to her as her future niece;nor could she think,without a smile, of what her ladyship's indignation would have been.“What would she have said?how would she have behaved?”were questions with which she amused herself.
“But if that is the case,you must write to your mother and beg that you may stay a little longer.Mrs.Collins will be very glad of your company,I am sure.”
“You are all kindness,madam;but I believe we must abide by our original plan.”
“Oh!your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father. And if you will stay another month complete,it will be in my power to take one of you as far as London,for I am going there early in June,for a week;and as Dawson does not object to the barouche-box,there will be very good room for one of you―and indeed,if the weather should happen to be cool,I should not object to taking you both,as you are neither of you large.”