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'Oh! Your uncle! He keeps a man-servant, does he?

I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of those

things. Where shall you change horses? Oh, Bromley,

of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will he

attended to.'

Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting

their journey, and as she did not answer them all herself

attention was necessary, which Elizabeth believed to be lucky

for her; or, with a mind so occupied, she might have for-

gotten where she was. Reflection must be reserved for

solitary hours: whenever she was alone, she gave way to it

as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a

solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of

unpleasant recollections.

Mr. Darcy's letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing

by heart. She studied every sentence; and her feelings to-

wards its writer were at times widely different. When she

remembered the style of his address, she was still full of

indignation: but when she considered how unjustly she had

condemned and upbraided him, her anger was turned against

herself; and his disappointed feelings became the object of

compassion. His attachment excited gratitude, his general

character respect: but she could not approve him; nor could

she for a moment repent her refusal, or feel the slightest

inclination ever to see him again. In her own past behaviour

there was a constant source of vexation and regret: and in

the unhappy defects of her family a subject of yet heavier

chagrin. They were hopeless of remedy. Her father, con-

tented with laughing at them, would never exert himself to

restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and

her mother, with manners so far from right herself, was

entirely insensible of the evil. Elizabeth had frequently

united with Jane in an endeavour to check the imprudence of

Catherine and Lydia; but while they were supported by

their mother's indulgence, what chance could there be of

improvement? Catherine, weak-spirited, irritable, and com-

pletely under Lydia's guidance, had been always affronted

by their advice; and Lydia, self-willed and careless, would

scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and

vain. While there was an officer in Meryton, they would

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