Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 14

During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the

servants were withdrawn, he thought it time to have some

conversation with his guest, and therefore started a subject in

which he expected him to shine, by observing that he seemed

very fortunate in his patroness. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's

attention to his wishes, and consideration for his comfort,

appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosen

better. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject

elevated him to more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a

most important aspect he protested that "he had never in his life

witnessed such behaviour in a person of rank--such affability

and condescension, as he had himself experienced from Lady

Catherine. She had been graciously pleased to approve of both

of the discourses which he had already had the honour of

preaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at

Rosings, and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make

up her pool of quadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was

reckoned proud by many people he knew, but _he_ had never

seen anything but affability in her. She had always spoken to

him as she would to any other gentleman; she made not the

smallest objection to his joining in the society of the

neighbourhood nor to his leaving the parish occasionally for a

week or two, to visit his relations. She had even condescended

to advise him to marry as soon as he could, provided he chose

with discretion; and had once paid him a visit in his humble

parsonage, where she had perfectly approved all the alterations

he had been making, and had even vouchsafed to suggest some

herself--some shelves in the closet upstairs."

"That is all very proper and civil, I am sure," said Mrs. Bennet,

"and I dare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that

great ladies in general are not more like her. Does she live near

you, sir?"

"The garden in which stands my humble abode is separated only

by a lane from Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence."

"I think you said she was a widow, sir? Has she any family?"

"She has only one daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of very

extensive property."

"Ah!" said Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, "then she is better off

than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she

handsome?"

"She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine