Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 29

Mr. Collins's triumph, in consequence of this invitation, was

complete. The power of displaying the grandeur of his patroness

to his wondering visitors, and of letting them see her civility

towards himself and his wife, was exactly what he had wished

for; and that an opportunity of doing it should be given so soon,

was such an instance of Lady Catherine's condescension, as he

knew not how to admire enough.

"I confess," said he, "that I should not have been at all surprised

by her ladyship's asking us on Sunday to drink tea and spend the

evening at Rosings. I rather expected, from my knowledge of

her affability, that it would happen. But who could have

foreseen such an attention as this? Who could have imagined

that we should receive an invitation to dine there (an invitation,

moreover, including the whole party) so immediately after your

arrival!"

"I am the less surprised at what has happened," replied Sir

William, "from that knowledge of what the manners of the great

really are, which my situation in life has allowed me to acquire.

About the court, such instances of elegant breeding are not

uncommon."

Scarcely anything was talked of the whole day or next morning

but their visit to Rosings. Mr. Collins was carefully instructing

them in what they were to expect, that the sight of such rooms,

so many servants, and so splendid a dinner, might not wholly

overpower them.

When the ladies were separating for the toilette, he said to

Elizabeth--

"Do not make yourself uneasy, my dear cousin, about your

apparel. Lady Catherine is far from requiring that elegance of

dress in us which becomes herself and her daughter. I would

advise you merely to put on whatever of your clothes is superior

to the rest--there is no occasion for anything more. Lady

Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply

dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved."

While they were dressing, he came two or three times to their

different doors, to recommend their being quick, as Lady

Catherine very much objected to be kept waiting for her dinner.

Such formidable accounts of her ladyship, and her manner of

living, quite frightened Maria Lucas who had been little used to

company, and she looked forward to her introduction at Rosings

with as much apprehension as her father had done to his

presentation at St. James's.

As the weather was fine, they had a pleasant walk of about half

a mile across the park. Every park has its beauty and its