{{prxprp310.jpg}} || 310 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ||

'It is well. You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to

obey the claims of duty, honour, and gratitude. You are deter-'

mined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends, and make him

the contempt of the world.'

'Neither duty, nor honour, nor gratitude,' replied Elizabeth,

'has any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No

principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr.

Darcy. And with regard to the resentment of his family, or the

indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his marrying

me, it would not give me one moment's concern -- and the world

in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn.'

'And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve!

Very welL I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine,

Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to

try you. I hoped to find you reasonable; but depend upon it

I will carry my point.'

In this manner Lady Catherine talked on, till they were at the

door of the carriage, when turning hastily round, she added,

'I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments

to your mother. You deserve no such attention. I am seriously

displeased.'

Elizabeth made no answer and; without attempting to persuade

her ladyship to return into the house, walked quietly into it herself.

She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs. Her

mother impatiendy met her at the door of the dressing-room, to

ask why Lady Catherine would not come in again and rest herself

'She did not choose it,' said her daughter, 'she would go.'

'She is a very fine^looking woman! and her calling here was

prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the

Collinses were welL She is on her road somewhere, I dare say,

and so, passing through Meryton, thought she might as well call

on you. I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you, Lizzy?*

Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here; for to

acknowledge the substance of d:eir conversau'on was impossible.

 [[310]]