Chapter 56 336
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 .
" How could I ever think her like her nephew ?" said she , as she looked in her face .
As soon as they entered the copse , Lady Catherine began in the following manner : --
" You can be at no loss , Miss Bennet , to understand the reason of my journey hither . Your own heart , your own conscience , must tell you why I come ."
Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment .
" Indeed , you are mistaken , Madam . I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here ."
" Miss Bennet ," replied her ladyship , in an angry tone , " you ought to know , that I am not to be trifled with . But however insincere you may choose to be , you shall not find me so . My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness , and in a cause of such moment as this , I shall certainly not depart from it . A report of a most alarming nature reached me two days ago . I was told that not only your sister was on the point of being most advantageously married , but that you , that Miss Elizabeth Bennet , would , in all likelihood , be soon afterwards united to my nephew , my own nephew , Mr . Darcy . Though I know it must be a scandalous falsehood ,