Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 14

During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants

were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation

with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him

to shine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and consideration

for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have

chosen better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated

him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most

important aspect he protested that "he had never in his life witnessed

such behaviour in a person of rank-such affability and condescension,

as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been

graciously pleased to approve of both of the discourses which he had

already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked

him twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday

before, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine

was reckoned proud by many people he knew, but he had never

seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken to him as

she would to any other gentleman; she made not the smallest objection

to his joining in the society of the neighbourhood nor to his leaving

the parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him to marry as soon as he could,

provided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in

his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly approved all the alterations

he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some

herself-some shelves in the closet upstairs."

"That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet, "and

I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladies

in general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?"

"The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only

by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence."

"I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?"

"She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very

extensive property."

"Ah!" said Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "then she is better off

than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome?"

"She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself

says that, in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far superior

to the handsomest of her sex, because there is that in her features

which marks the young lady of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately

of a sickly constitution, which has prevented her from making