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 replied very concisely that she was.

Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.

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,