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that way. I am always glad to get a young person well placed

out. Four nieces of Mrs. Jenkinson are most delightfully

situated through my means; and it was but the other day that

I recommended another young person, who was merely acci-

dentally mentioned to me, and the family are quite delighted

with her. Mrs. Collins, did I tell you of Lady Metcalfe's

calling yesterday to thank me? She finds Miss Pope a treas-

ure. "Lady Catherine," said she, "you have given me a treas-

ure." Are any of your younger sisters out, Miss Bennet?'

'Yes, ma'am, all.'

'All! What, all five out at once? Very odd! And you only

the second. The younger ones out before the elder are mar-

ried! Your younger sisters must be very young?'

'Yes, my youngest is not sixteen. Perhaps _she_ is full

young to be much in company. But, really, ma'am, I think it

would be very hard upon younger sisters that they should

not have their share of society and amusement, because the

elder may not have the means or inclination to marry early.

The last born has as good a right to the pleasures of youth as

the first. And to be kept back on _such_ a motive! I think it

would not be very likely to promote sisterly affection or del-

icacy of mind.'

'Upon my word,' said her Ladyship, 'you give your opinion

very decidedly for so young a person. Pray, what is your

age?'

'With three younger sisters grown up,' replied Elizabeth,

smiling, 'your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it.'

Lady Catherine seemed quite astonished at not receiving a

direct answer; and Elizabeth suspected herself to be the

first creature who had ever dared to trifle with so much

dignified impertinence.

'You cannot be more than twenty, I am sure, -- therefore

you need not conceal your age.'

'I am not one-and-twenty.'

When the gentlemen had joined them, and tea was over,

the card-tables were placed. Lady Catherine, Sir William,

and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down to quadrille; and as Miss

de Bourgh chose to play at cassino, the two girls had the

honour of assisting Mrs. Jenkinson to make up her party.

Their table was superlatively stupid. Scarcely a syllable was

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