{{prxprp184.jpg}} || 184 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not

object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large.'

'You arc all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide

by our original plan.'

Lady Catherine seemed resigned. -- 'Mrs. Collins, you must

send a servant with them. You know I always speak my mind,

and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travelling post

by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to

send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that

son of thing. -- Young women should always be properly guarded

and attended, according to their situation in life. When my

niece Gcorgiana went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point

of her having two men servants go with her. -- Miss Darcy, the

daughter of Mr. Darcy, of Pemberley, and Lady Anne, could

not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. -- I am

excessively attentive to all those things. You must send John

with the young ladies, Mrs. Collins. I am glad it occurred to

me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to you to

let them go alone.'

'My uncle is to send a servant for us.'

'Oh! -- Your uncle! -- He keeps a man-servant, does he; -- I am

very glad you have somebody who thinks of those things. Where

shall you change horses? -- Oh! Bromley, of course. -- If you

mention my name at the Bell, you will be attended to.'

Lady Catherine had many other questions to ask respecting

their journey, and as she did not answer them all herself, attention

was necessary, which Elizabeth believed to be lucky for her; or,

with a mind so occupied, she might have forgotten where she

was. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever

she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a

day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge

in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.

Mr. Darcy's letter she was in a fair way of soon knowing by

heart. She studied every sentence; and her feelings towards

its writer were at times widely different. When she remembered

the style of his address, she was still full of indignation; but when

she considered how unjustly she had condemned and upbraided

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