Volume I, Chapter XIV

CHAPTER XIV

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 Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected her to shine, by observing that she seemed very fortunate in her patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to her brother's wishes, and consideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen better. Miss Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated her to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspect she protested that she had never in her life witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank—such affability and condescension, as she had herself experienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both of the discourses, which her brother had already had the honour of preaching before her. She had also asked both William and herself twice to dine at Rosings, and had sent for her only the Saturday before, to make up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by many people she knew, but she had never seen any thing but affability in her. Her ladyship had always spoken to her as she would to any other lady; she made not the smallest objection to her joining in the society of the neighbourhood, nor to her leaving the parish occasionally for a week or two, to visit her relations. She had even condescended to advise them both to marry as soon as they could, provided they chose with discretion; and had once paid them a visit in their humble parsonage; where she had perfectly approved all the alterations her brother had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself,—some shelves in the closets up stairs.

'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, cousin?'

'The garden in which the parsonage stands is separated only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence.'

'I think you said she was a widow? has she any family?'

'She has only her 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 that progress in many accomplishments, which she could not have otherwise failed of; as I am informed by the lady who superintended her education, and who still resides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and, I flatter myself, looks on me as the sister she never had. She condescends to visit me at our humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies as often as her constitution allows.'

'Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies at court.'

'Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town; and by that means, as William told Lady Catherine one day, has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleased with the idea, and you may imagine that my brother is happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I myself once observed to Lady Catherine, that her daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the most elevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her.—These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, and it is a sort of attention which I conceive myself, as much as my brother, peculiarly bound to pay.'

'You judge very properly,' said Mr. Bennet, 'and it is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?'

'They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though William and I sometimes amuse ourselves with suggesting and arranging such little elegant compliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible.'

Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin—nay, cousins, were as absurd as he had hoped, and he listened to Miss Collins with the keenest enjoyment, maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance, and except in an occasional glance at Edward, requiring no partner in his pleasure.

By tea-time however the dose had been enough, and when tea was over, Mr. Bennet was glad to invite her to read aloud to the family. Miss Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but, on beholding it (for everything announced it to be from a circulating library), she started back, and begging pardon, protested that neither she nor her brother ever read novels.—Kitty stared at her, and Lydia exclaimed.—Other books were produced, and after some deliberation she chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as she opened the volume, and before she had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted her with,

'Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard, and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me so herself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear more about it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.'

Lydia was bid by Jane and Edward to hold her tongue; but Miss Collins, much offended, laid aside her book, and said,

'I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by books of a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazes me, I confess;—for certainly, as her ladyship has often said, there can be nothing so advantageous to them as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.'

Then turning to Edward, she offered herself as his antagonist at backgammon, 'in which her brother was often vexed at having to acknowledge her superiority'. Edward accepted the challenge, and Mr. Bennet observed that Miss Collins acted very wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs. Bennet apologised most civilly for Lydia's interruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if she would resume her book; but Miss Collins, after assuring her that she bore her young cousin no ill will, and should never resent her behaviour as any affront, seated herself at another table with Edward, and prepared for backgammon.