Though Elizabeth would not,for the mere purpose of obliging Lady Catherine,have answered this question,she could not but say,after a moment's deliberation:

“Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say.You know my sentiments.”

“Not so hasty,if you please.I have by no means done.To all the objections I have already urged,I have still another to add.I am no stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister's infamous elopement.I know it all;that the young man's marrying her was a patched-up business,at the expence of your father and uncles. And is such a girl to be my nephew's sister?Is her husband,is the son of his late father's steward, to be his brother? Heaven and earth!―of what are you thinking?Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted?”

“She did not choose it,”said her daughter,“she would go.”

“She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collinses were well.She is on her road somewhere,I dare say,and so, passing through Meryton, thought she might as well call on you.I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you,Lizzy?”

“I am not.”

“It is well.You refuse,then,to oblige me.You refuse to obey the claims of duty,honour,and gratitude.You are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends,and make him the contempt of the world.”