The dinner was exceedingly handsome, and there were all the servants and all the articles of plate which Mr. Collins had promised;and,as he had likewise foretold,he took his seat at the bottom of the table,by her ladyship's desire,and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater.He carved,and ate,and praised with delighted alacrity;and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now enough recovered to echo whatever his son-in-law said, in a manner which Elizabeth wondered Lady Catherine could bear. But Lady Catherine seemed gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave most gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them.The party did not supply much conversation. Elizabeth was ready to speak whenever there was an opening, but she was seated between Charlotte and Miss de Bourgh—the former of whom was engaged in listening to Lady Catherine,and the latter said not a word to her all dinner-time. Mrs.Jenkinson was chiefly employed in watching how little Miss de Bourgh ate, pressing her to try some other dish, and fearing she was indisposed.Maria thought speaking out of the question, and the gentlemen did nothing but eat and admire.
When the ladies returned to the drawing-room,there was little to be done but to hear Lady Catherine talk,which she did without any intermission till coffee came in, delivering her opinion on every subject in so decisive a manner, as proved that she was not used to have her judgement controverted.She inquired into Charlotte's domestic concerns familiarly and minutely, gave her a great deal of advice as to the management of them all;told her how everything ought to be regulated in so small a family as hers, and instructed her as to the care of her cows and her poultry. Elizabeth found that nothing was beneath this great lady's attention,which could furnish her with an occasion of dictating to others. In the intervals of her discourse with Mrs. Collins, she addressed a variety of questions to Maria and Elizabeth, but especially to the latter,of whose connections she knew the least,and who she observed to Mrs.Collins was a very genteel, pretty kind of girl.She asked her,at different times,how many sisters she had,whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage her father kept,and what had been her mother's maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the impertinence of her questions but answered them very composedly.Lady Catherine then observed,
“Your father's estate is entailed on Mr.Collins,I think.For your sake,”turning to Charlotte,“I am glad of it;but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line.It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you play and sing,Miss Bennet?”
“A little.”
“Oh!then—some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one,probably superior to—You shall try it some day.Do your sisters play and sing?”
“One of them does.”
“Why did not you all learn?You ought all to have learned.The Miss Webbs all play,and their father has not so good an income as yours.Do you draw?”
“No,not at all.”
“What,none of you?”
“Not one.”
“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have taken you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.”
“My mother would have had no objection,but my father hates London.”
“Has your governess left you?”
“We never had any governess.”
“No governess!How was that possible?Five daughters brought up at home without a governess! I never heard of such a thing. Your mother must have been quite a slave to your education.”
Elizabeth could hardly help smiling as she assured her that had not been the case.
“Then, who taught you? who attended to you? Without a governess,you must have been neglected.”