Chapter 16 85
Catherine de Bourgh , I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters ."
Mr . Wickham ' s attention was caught ; and after observing Mr . Collins for a few moments , he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relation was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh .
" Lady Catherine de Bourgh ," she replied , " has very lately given him a living . I hardly know how Mr . Collins was first introduced to her notice , but he certainly has not known her long ."
" You know of course that Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters ; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr . Darcy ."
" No , indeed , I did not . I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine ' s connections . I never heard of her existence till the day before yesterday ."
" Her daughter , Miss de Bourgh , will have a very large fortune , and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two estates ."
This information made Elizabeth smile , as she thought of poor Miss Bingley . Vain indeed must be all her attentions , vain and useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself , if he were already self-destined for another .
" Mr . Collins ," said she , " speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter ; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship , I suspect his gratitude misleads him , and that in spite of her being his patroness , she is an arrogant , conceited woman ."
" I believe her to be both in a great degree ," replied Wickham ; " I have not seen her for many years , but I very well remember that I never liked her , and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent . She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever ; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune , part from her authoritative manner , and the rest from the pride for her nephew , who chooses that