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Pride & Prejudice – page 579

Pride and Prejudice

Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her ladyship

to take some refreshment; but Lady Catherine very

resolutely, and not very politely, declined eating

anything; and then, rising up, said to Elizabeth, “Miss

Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little

wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad

to take a turn in it, if you will favour me with your

company.”

“Go, my dear,” cried her mother, “and show her

ladyship about the different walks. I think she will be

pleased with the hermitage.”

Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room

for her parasol, attended her noble guest downstairs. As

they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened

the doors into the dining-parlour and drawing-room,

and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be

decent looking rooms, walked on.

Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth

saw that her waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded

in silence along the gravel walk that led to the

copse; Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for

conversation with a woman who was now more than

usually insolent and disagreeable.

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