“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.”

“Go, my dear,”cried her mother,“and show her ladyship about the different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.”

“Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,”said Elizabeth coolly,“will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.”

As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following manner:―

“If you believed it impossible to be true,”said Elizabeth, colouring with astonishment and disdain,“I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far.What could your ladyship propose by it?”

“I hope you are well,Miss Bennet.That lady,I suppose,is your mother.”

“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:

“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.”

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,