{{prxprp143.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 143 ||

bear. But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive

admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any

dish on the table proved a novelty to them. The party did not

supply much conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak when'

ever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte

and Miss de Bourgh -- the former of whom was engaged in

listening to Lady Catherine, and the latter said not a word to

her all dinner time. Mrs. Jenkinson was chiefly employed in

watching how little Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some

other dish, and fearing she was indisposed. Maria thought

speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing

but eat and admire.

When the ladies returned to the drawing room, there was

little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk, which she did

without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her

opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner, as proved

that she was not used to have her judgment controverted.

She inquired into Charlotte's domestic concerns familiarly and

minutely, and gave her a great deal of advice, as to the management

of them all; told her how everything ought to be regulated in

so small a family as her's, and instructed her as to the care of her

cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath

this great Lady's attention, which could furnish her with an

occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse

with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria

and Elizabeth, but especially to the latter, of whose connections

she knew the least, and who she observed to Mrs. Collins was

a very genteel, pretty kind of girl. She asked her at different

times, how many sisters she had, whether they were older or

younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be

married, whether they were handsome, where they had been

educated, what carriage her father kept, and what had been her

mother's maiden name; -- Elizabeth felt all the impertinence oi

her questions, but answered them very composedly. -- Lady

Catherine then observed,

'Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For

your sake,' turning to Charlotte, 'I am glad of it; but otherwise

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