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Chapter XXIX

Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this in-

vitation, was complete. The power of displaying

the grandeur of his patroness to his wondering

visitors, and of letting them see her civility towards him-

self 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 hap-

pen. 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, includ-

ing 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 al-

lowed me to acquire. About the court, such instances of

elegant breeding are not uncommon.'

Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next

morning but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was care-

fully 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 Elizabeth,--

'Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your

apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that ele-

gance 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

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