CHAPTER XIV.
During dinner, Mr. Bennet scarcely spoke at all; but when the servantswere withdrawn, he thought it time to have some conversation with hisguest, and therefore started a subject in which he expected him toshine, by observing that he seemed very fortunate in his patroness. LadyCatherine de Bourgh's attention to his wishes, and consideration for hiscomfort, appeared very remarkable. Mr. Bennet could not have chosenbetter. Mr. Collins was eloquent in her praise. The subject elevated himto more than usual solemnity of manner, and with a most important aspecthe protested that he had never in his life witnessed such behaviour in aperson of rank--such affability and condescension, as he had himselfexperienced from Lady Catherine. She had been graciously pleased toapprove of both the discourses, which he had already had the honour ofpreaching before her. She had also asked him twice to dine at Rosings,and had sent for him only the Saturday before, to make up her pool ofquadrille in the evening. Lady Catherine was reckoned proud by manypeople he knew, but _he_ had never seen any thing but affability in her.She had always spoken to him as she would to any other gentleman; shemade not the smallest objection to his joining in the society of theneighbourhood, nor to his leaving his parish occasionally for a week ortwo, to visit his relations. She had even condescended to advise him tomarry as soon as he could, provided he chose with discretion; and hadonce paid him a visit in his humble parsonage; where she had perfectlyapproved all the alterations he had been making, and had even vouchsafedto suggest some herself,--some shelves in the closets up stairs.
”That is all very proper and civil, I am sure,” said Mrs. Bennet, ”and Idare say she is a very agreeable woman. It is a pity that great ladiesin general are not more like her. Does she live near you, sir?”
”The garden in which stands my humble abode, is separated only by a lanefrom Rosings Park, her ladyship's residence.”
”I think you said she was a widow, sir? has she any family?”
”She has one only daughter, the heiress of Rosings, and of veryextensive property.”
”Ah!” cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head, ”then she is better off thanmany girls. And what sort of young lady is she? is she handsome?”
”She is a most charming young lady indeed. Lady Catherine herself saysthat in point of true beauty, Miss De Bourgh is far superior to thehandsomest of her sex; because there is that in her features which marksthe young woman of distinguished birth. She is unfortunately of a sicklyconstitution, which has prevented her making that progress in manyaccomplishments, which she could not otherwise have failed of; as I aminformed by the lady who superintended her education, and who stillresides with them. But she is perfectly amiable, and often condescendsto drive by my humble abode in her little phaeton and ponies.”
”Has she been presented? I do not remember her name among the ladies atcourt.”
”Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in town;and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day, has deprivedthe British court of its brightest ornament. Her ladyship seemed pleasedwith the idea, and you may imagine that I am happy on every occasion tooffer those little delicate compliments which are always acceptable toladies. I have more than once observed to Lady Catherine, that hercharming daughter seemed born to be a duchess, and that the mostelevated rank, instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned byher.--These are the kind of little things which please her ladyship, andit is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound topay.”
”You judge very properly,” said Mr. Bennet, ”and it is happy for youthat you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I askwhether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of themoment, or are the result of previous study?”
”They arise chiefly from what is passing at the time, and though Isometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such little elegantcompliments as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish togive them as unstudied an air as possible.”
Mr. Bennet's expectations were fully answered. His cousin was as absurdas he had hoped, and he listened to him with the keenest enjoyment,maintaining at the same time the most resolute composure of countenance,and except in an occasional glance at Elizabeth, requiring no partner inhis pleasure.
By tea-time however the dose had been enough, and Mr. Bennet was glad totake his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over, gladto invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented,and a book was produced; but on beholding it, (for every thing announcedit to be from a circulating library,) he started back, and beggingpardon, protested that he never read novels.--Kitty stared at him, andLydia exclaimed.--Other books were produced, and after some deliberationhe chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, andbefore he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, sheinterrupted him with,
”Do you know, mama, that my uncle Philips talks of turning away Richard,and if he does, Colonel Forster will hire him. My aunt told me soherself on Saturday. I shall walk to Meryton to-morrow to hear moreabout it, and to ask when Mr. Denny comes back from town.”
Lydia was bid by her two eldest sisters to hold her tongue; but Mr.Collins, much offended, laid aside his book, and said,
”I have often observed how little young ladies are interested by booksof a serious stamp, though written solely for their benefit. It amazesme, I confess;--for certainly, there can be nothing so advantageous tothem as instruction. But I will no longer importune my young cousin.”
Then turning to Mr. Bennet, he offered himself as his antagonist atbackgammon. Mr. Bennet accepted the challenge, observing that he actedvery wisely in leaving the girls to their own trifling amusements. Mrs.Bennet and her daughters apologised most civilly for Lydia'sinterruption, and promised that it should not occur again, if he wouldresume his book; but Mr. Collins, after assuring them that he bore hisyoung cousin no ill will, and should never resent her behaviour as anyaffront, seated himself at another table with Mr. Bennet, and preparedfor backgammon.