{{prxprp183.jpg}} || PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 183 ||

to her, as her future niece; nor could she think, without a smile,

of what her ladyship's indignation would have been. 'What

would she have said; -- how would she have behaved;' were

questions with which she amused herself.

Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party.

-- 'I assure you, I feel it exceedingly,' said Lady Catherine; 'I

believe nobody feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But

I am particularly attached to these young men, and know them

to be so much attached to me! -- They were excessively sorry to

go! But so they always are. The dear colonel rallied his spirits

tolerably till just at last; but Darcy seemed to feel it most acutely,

more I think than last year. His attachment to Rosings

certainly increases.'

Mr. Collins had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in

here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.

Lady Catherine observed, after dinner, that Miss Bennet

seemed out of spirits, and immediately accounting for it herself,

by supposing that she did not like to go home again so soon,

she added,

'But if that is the case, you must write to your mother to beg

that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Collins will be very glad

of your company, I am sure.'

'I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation,'

replied Elizabeth, 'but it is not in my power to accept it. -- I must

be in town next Saturday.'

'Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks.

I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Collins so

before you came. There can be no occasion for your going so

soon. Mrs. Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight.'

'But my father cannot. -- He wrote last week to hurry my

return.'

'Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can.

Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father. And

if you will stay another month complete, it will be in my power

to take one of you as far as London, for I am going there early

in June, for a week; and as Dawson does not object to the

Barouche box, there will be very good room for one of you -- and

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