{{prxprp141.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 141 ||

will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She

likes to have the distinction of rank preserved.'

While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their

different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady Catherine

very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner. -- Such

formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of living,

quite frightened Maria Lucas, who had been little used to conv

pany, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings, with

as much apprehension, as her father had done to his presentation

at St. James's.

As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about

half a mile across the park. -- Every park has its beauty and its

prospects; and Elizabeth saw much to be pleased with, though

she could not be in such raptures as Mr. Collins expected

the scene to inspire, and was but slightly affected by his enumc

ration of the windows in front of the house, and his relation

of what the glazing altogether had originally cost Sir Lewis

de Bourgh.

When they ascended the steps to the hall, Maria's alarm was

every moment increasing, and even Sir William did not look

perfectly calm. -- Elizabeth's courage did not fail her. She had

heard nothing of Lady Catherine that spoke her awful from any

extraordinary talents or miraculous virtue, and the mere stateliness

of money and rank, she thought she could witness without

trepidation.

From the entrance hall, of which Mr. Collins pointed out,

with a rapturous air, the fine proportion and finished ornaments,

they followed the servants through an antechamber, to the

room where Lady Catherine, her daughter, and Mrs. Jenkinson

were sitting. -- Her ladyship, with great condescension, arose to

receive them; and as Mrs. Collins had settled it with her husband

that the office of introduction should be her's, it was performed in

a proper manner, without any of those apologies and thanks

which he would have thought necessary.

In spite of having been at St. James's, Sir William was so

completely awed, by the grandeur surrounding him, that he had

but just courage enough to make a very low bow, and take his

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