{{prxprp058.jpg}} || 58 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at

Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make

up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was

reckoned proud by many people, he knew, but be had never

seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken to

him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the

smallest objection to his joining in the society of the neighbour-*

hood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week or

two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise

him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose with dis^

crction; and had once paid him a visit in his humble parsonage;

where she had perfectly approved all the alterations he had been

making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some herself -- some

shelves in the closets up stairs.'

'That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,' said Mrs. Bennet,

'and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that

great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live

near you, sir;'

'The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated

only by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence.'

'I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any

family?'

'She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of

very extensive property.'

'Ah!' cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, 'then she is better

off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? is

she handsome?'

'She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine

herself says that in point of true beauty, Miss de Bourgh is far

superior to the handsomest of her sex; because there is that in her

features which marks the young woman of distinguished birth.

She is unfortunately of a sickly constitution, which has prevented

her making that progress in many accomplishments, which she

could not otherwise have failed of; as I am informed by the lady

who superintended her education, and who still resides with

them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescends to

drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.'

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