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which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear.

But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive

admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially

when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The

party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth was

ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she

was seated between Charlotte and Miss de Bourgh -- the

former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Cath-

erine, and the latter said not a word to her all dinner-

time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching

how little Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some

other dish and fearing she was indisposed. Maria thought

speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing

but eat and admire.

When the ladies returned to the drawing-room, there was

little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which

she did without any intermission till coffee came in, de-

livering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a man-

ner as proved that she was not used to have her judgment

controverted. She inquired into Charlotte's domestic con-

cerns familiarly and minutely, and gave her a great deal

of advice as to the management of them all; told her how

everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as hers,

and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry.

Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady's

attention which could furnish her with an occasion for dic-

tating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs.

Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and

Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections

she knew the least, and who, she observed to Mrs. Collins,

was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her at dif-

ferent times how many sisters she had, whether they were

older or younger than herself, whether any of them were

likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where

they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and

what had been her mother's maiden name? Elizabeth felt

all the impertinence of her questions, but answered them

very composedly. Lady Catherine then observed,--

'Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think?

For your sake,' turning to Charlotte, 'I am glad of it; but

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