pride and prejudice(傲慢与偏见)-第49章
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She will make him a very proper wife。’
Mr。 Collins and Charlotte were both standing at the gate in
conversation with the ladies； and Sir William； to Elizabeth’s high
diversion； was stationed in the doorway； in earnest contemplation
of the greatness before him； and constantly bowing whenever Miss
De Bourgh looked that way。
At length there was nothing more to be said； the ladies drove
on； and the others returned into the house。 Mr。 Collins no sooner
saw the two girls than he began to congratulate them on their
good fortune； which Charlotte explained by letting them know that
the whole party was asked to dine at Rosings the next day。
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CHAPTER VI
r。 Collins’s triumph in consequence of this invitation
was complete。 The power of displaying the grandeur of
M
his patroness to his wondering visitors； and of letting
them see her civility towards himself and his wife； was exactly
what he had wished for； and that an opportunity of doing it should
be given so soon； was such an instance of Lady Catherine’s
condescension as he knew not how to admire enough。
‘I confess；’ said he； ‘that I should not have been at all surprised
by her Ladyship’s asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the
evening at Rosings。 I rather expected； from my knowledge of her
affability； that it would happen。 But who could have foreseen such
an attention as this？ Who could have imagined that we should
receive an invitation to dine there （an invitation moreover
including the whole party） so immediately after your arrival！’
‘I am the less surprised at what has happened；’ replied Sir
William； ‘from that knowledge of what the manners of the great
really are； which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire。
About the Court； such instances of elegant breeding are not
uncommon。’
Scarcely any thing was talked of the whole day or next
morning； but their visit to Rosings。 Mr。 Collins was carefully
instructing them in what they were to expect； that the sight of
such rooms； so many servants； and so splendid a dinner might not
wholly overpower them。
When the ladies were separating for the toilette； he said to
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Elizabeth；
‘Do not make yourself uneasy； my dear cousin； about your
apparel。 Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of
dress in us； which becomes herself and daughter。 I would advise
you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the
rest； there is no occasion for any thing more。 Lady Catherine will
not think the worse of you for being simply dressed。 She likes to
have the distinction of rank preserved。’
While they were dressing； he came two or three times to their
different doors； to recommend their being quick； as Lady
Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner。—
Such formidable accounts of her Ladyship； and her manner of
living； quite frightened Maria Lucas； who had been little used to
company； and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings；
with as much apprehension； as her father had done to his
presentation at St。 James’s。
As the weather was fine； they had a pleasant walk of about half
a mile across the park。—Every park has its beauty and its
prospects； and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with； though she
could not be in such raptures as Mr。 Collins expected the scene to
inspire； and was but slightly affected by his enumeration of the
windows in front of the house； and his relation of what the glazing
altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis De Bourgh。
When they ascended the steps to the hall； Maria’s alarm was
every moment increasing； and even Sir William did not look
perfectly calm。—Elizabeth’s courage did not fail her。 She had
heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her aweful from any
extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue； and the mere
stateliness of money and rank； she thought she could witness
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without trepidation。
From the entrance hall； of which Mr。 Collins pointed out； with a
rapturous air； the fine proportion and finished ornaments； they
followed the servants through an anti…chamber； to the room where
Lady Catherine； her daughter； and Mrs。 Jenkinson were sitting。—
Her Ladyship； with great condescension； arose to receive them；
and as Mrs。 Collins had settled it with her husband that the office
of introduction should be her’s； it was performed in a proper
manner； without any of those apologies and thanks which he
would have thought necessary。
In spite of having been at St。 James’s； Sir William was so
completely awed； by the grandeur surrounding him； that he had
but just courage enough to make a very low bow； and take his seat
without saying a word； and his daughter； frightened almost out of
her senses； sat on the edge of her chair； not knowing which way to
look。 Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene； and could
observe the three ladies before her composedly。—Lady Catherine
was a tall； large woman； with strongly…marked features； which
might once have been handsome。 Her air was not conciliating； nor
was her manner of receiving them； such as to make her visitors
forget their inferior rank。 She was not rendered formidable by
silence； but whatever she said； was spoken in so authoritative a
tone； as marked her self…importance； and brought Mr。 Wickham
immediately to Elizabeth’s mind； and from the observation of the
day altogether； she believed Lady Catherine to be exactly what he
had represented。
When； after examining the mother； in whose countenance and
deportment she soon found some resemblance of Mr。 Darcy； she
turned her eyes on the daughter； she could almost have joined in
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Maria’s astonishment； at her being so thin； and so small。 There
was neither in figure nor face； any likeness between the ladies。
Miss De Bourgh was pale and sickly； her features； though not
plain； were insignificant； and she spoke very little； except in a low
voice； to Mrs。 Jenkinson； in whose appearance there was nothing
remarkable； and who was entirely engaged in listening to what she
said； and placing a screen
