第132章[第1页/共4页]

Lady Catherine seemed pleased.

“I am not.”

“She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collinses were well.She is on her road somewhere,I dare say,and so, passing through Meryton, thought she might as well call on you.I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you,Lizzy?”

Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here;for to acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.

“Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say.You know my sentiments.”

Elizabeth made no answer;and without attempting to persuade her ladyship to return into the house,walked quietly into it herself. She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs.Her mother impatiently met her at the door of the dressing-room,to ask why Lady Catherine would not come in again and rest herself.

“And this is your real opinion!This is your final resolve!Very well.I shall now know how to act.Do not imagine,Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable;but,depend upon it,I will carry my point.”

“You can now have nothing further to say,”she resentfully answered.“You have insulted me in every possible method.I must beg to return to the house.”