第130章[第1页/共5页]

“At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”

“May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr.and Mrs.Collins well.”

“How could I ever think her like her nephew?”said she,as she looked in her face.

They were of course all intending to be surprised;but their astonishment was beyond their expectation;and on the part of Mrs. Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them, even inferior to what Elizabeth felt.

“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.”

Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her from Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling.But no letter appeared,and she was completely puzzled. Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship to take some refreshment; but Lady Catherine very resolutely, and not very politely,declined eating anything;and then,rising up,said to Elizabeth,

“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.”

“I never heard that it was.”

Mrs.Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner, and then added: