The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she,for many hours,learn to think of it less than incessantly.Lady Catherine, it appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings, for the sole purpose of breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr.Darcy.It was a rational scheme, to be sure!but from what the report of their engagement could originate,Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine;till she recollected that his being the intimate friend of Bingley, and her being the sister of Jane,was enough,at a time when the expectation of one wedding made everybody eager for another, to supply the idea. She had not herself forgotten to feel that the marriage of her sister must bring them more frequently together.And her neighbours at Lucas Lodge,therefore(for through their communication with the Collinses,the report,she concluded,had reached Lady Catherine), had only set that down as almost certain and immediate,which she had looked forward to as possible at some future time.

The surprise of the rest of the family,on hearing who their visitor had been, was very great; but they obligingly satisfied it, with the same kind of supposition which had appeased Mrs.Bennet's curiosity; and Elizabeth was spared from much teasing on the subject.