Chapter 56 335
" Yes , madam ," said Mrs . Bennet , delighted to speak to Lady Catherine . " She is my youngest girl but one . My youngest of all is lately married , and my eldest is somewhere about the grounds , walking with a young man who , I believe , will soon become a part of the family ."
" You have a very small park here ," returned Lady Catherine after a short silence .
" It is nothing in comparison of Rosings , my lady , I dare say ; but I assure you it is much larger than Sir William Lucas ' s ."
" This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening , in summer ; the windows are full west ."
Mrs . Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner , and then added :
" May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr . and Mrs . Collins well ."
" Yes , very well . I saw them the night before last ."
Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her from Charlotte , as it seemed the only probable motive for her calling . But no letter appeared , and she was completely puzzled .
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 ."