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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when the servants were withdrawn, he thought it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 him to shine,

by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and con-

sideration for his comfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr.

Bennet could not have chosen better. Mr. Collins was elo-

quent in her praise. The subject elevated him to more than

usual solemnity of manner; and with a most important aspect

he protested that 'he had never in his life witnessed such be-

haviour in a person of rank -- such affability and condescen-

sion, as he had himself experienced from Lady Catherine.

She had been graciously pleased to approve of both the dis-

courses which he had already had the honour of preaching

before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings,

and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up

her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was

reckoned proud by many people, he knew, but he had never

seen anything but affability in _her._ She had always spoken

to him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not

the smallest objection to his joining in the society of the

neighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for

a week or two to visit his relations. She had even con-

descended to advise him to marry as soon as he could, pro-

vided he chose with discretion; and had once paid him a

visit in his humble parsonage, where she had perfectly ap-

proved all the alterations he had been making, and had even

vouchsafed to suggest some herself, -- some shelves in the

closets upstairs.'

'That is all very proper and civil, i am sure,' said Mrs.

Bennet, 'and I daresay 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, sir?'

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