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beg that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be

very glad of your company, I am sure.'

'I am much obliged to your Ladyship for your kind invita-

tion,' replied Elizabeth; 'but it is not in my power to accept

it. I must be in town next Saturday.'

'Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks.

I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so

before you came. There can be no occasion for your going

so soon. Mrs. Bennet could certainly spare you for another

fortnight.'

'But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my

return.'

'Oh, your father, of course, may spare you, if your mother

can. Daughters are never of so much consequence to a

father. And if you will stay another _month_ complete, it will

be in my power to take one of you as far as London, for I

am going there early in June, for a week; and as Dawson

does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good

room for one of you -- and, indeed, if the weather should

happen to be cool, I should not object to taking you both,

as you are neither of you large.'

'You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide

by our original plan.'

Lady Catherine seemed resigned. 'Mrs. Collins, you must

send a servant with them. You know I always speak my

mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women trav-

elling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must

contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in

the world to that sort of thing. Young women should always

be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation

in life. When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last

summer, I made a point of her having two men-servants go

with her. Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr. Darcy of Pem-

berley, and Lady Anne, could not have appeared with

propriety in a different manner. I am excessively at-

tentive to all those things. You must send John with the

young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to me

to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to _you_

to let them go alone.'

'My uncle is to send a servant for us.'

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