............prev.....................next{{prxprp140.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||
Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was
complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness
to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility
towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished
for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon,
was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension, as he
knew not how to admire enough.
'I confess,' said he, 'that I should not have been at all surprized
by her ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the
evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of
her affability, that it would happen. But who could have
foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined
that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation,
moreover, including the whole party) so immediately after your
arrival!' 'I am the less surprised at what has happened,' replied
Sir William, 'from that knowledge of what the manners of the
great really arc, which my situation in life has allowed me to ac^
quire. About the court, such instances of elegant breeding are
not uncommon.'
Scarcely any thing was talked of the whole day or next morning
but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing
them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms, so
many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly
overpower them.
When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to
Elizabeth,
'Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your
apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of
dress in us, which becomes herself and daughter. I would advise
you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior to the
rest, there is no occasion for anything more. Lady Catherine
140
[[140]]