Chapter 14 68
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 Bennet scarcely spoke at all ; but when the servants were withdrawn , he thought it time to have some conversation with his guest , and therefore started a subject in which he expected him to shine , by observing that he seemed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 ?"