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'Yes, madam,' said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to a

Lady Catherine. 'She is my youngest girl but one. My

youngest of all is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere

about the ground, walking with a young man, who, I believe,

will soon become a part of the family.'

'You have a very small park here,' returned Lady Cath-

erine, after a short silence.

'It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my Lady, I dare-

say; but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William

Lucas's.'

'This must be a most inconvenient sitting-room for the

evening in summer; the windows are full west.'

Mrs. Bennet assured her that they never sat there after

dinner; and then added,--

'May I take the liberty of asking your Ladyship whether

you left Mr. and Mrs. Collins well?'

'Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last.'

Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for

her from Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for

her calling. But no letter appeared, and she was completely

puzzled.

Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her Ladyship to

take some refreshment: but Lady Catherine very resolutely,

and not very politely, declined eating anything; and then,

rising up, said to Elizabeth,--

'Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a

little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad

to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your com-

pany.'

'Go, my dear,' cried her mother, 'and show her Ladyship

about the different walks. I think she will be pleased with

the hermitage.'

Elizabeth obeyed; and, running into her own room

for her parasol, attended her noble guest downstairs. As

they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened the

doors into the dining-parlour and drawing-room, and pro-

nouncing them, after a short survey, to be decent-looking

rooms, walked on.

Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that

her waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence

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