Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 57

The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit

threw Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor

could she, for many hours, learn to think of it less than

incessantly. Lady Catherine, it appeared, had actually taken

the trouble of this journey from Rosings, for the sole purpose

of breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr. Darcy. It was

a rational scheme, to be sure! but from what the report of

their engagement could originate, Elizabeth was at a loss to

imagine; till she recollected that _his_ being the intimate

friend of Bingley, and _her_ being the sister of Jane, was

enough, at a time when the expectation of one wedding made

everybody eager for another, to supply the idea. She had not

herself forgotten to feel that the marriage of her sister must

bring them more frequently together. And her neighbours at

Lucas Lodge, therefore (for through their communication with

the Collinses, the report, she concluded, had reached lady

Catherine), had only set that down as almost certain and

immediate, which she had looked forward to as possible at

some future time.

In revolving Lady Catherine's expressions, however, she could

not help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence

of her persisting in this interference. From what she had said

of her resolution to prevent their marriage, it occurred to

Elizabeth that she must meditate an application to her nephew;

and how _he_ might take a similar representation of the evils

attached to a connection with her, she dared not pronounce.

She knew not the exact degree of his affection for his aunt, or

his dependence on her judgment, but it was natural to suppose

that he thought much higher of her ladyship than _she_ could

do; and it was certain that, in enumerating the miseries of a

marriage with _one_, whose immediate connections were so unequal

to his own, his aunt would address him on his weakest side.

With his notions of dignity, he would probably feel that the

arguments, which to Elizabeth had appeared weak and ridiculous,

contained much good sense and solid reasoning.

If he had been wavering before as to what he should do, which

had often seemed likely, the advice and entreaty of so near a

relation might settle every doubt, and determine him at once to

be as happy as dignity unblemished could make him. In that

case he would return no more. Lady Catherine might see him in

her way through town; and his engagement to Bingley of coming