Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.
She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious,made no other reply to Elizabeth's salutation than a slight inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word.Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her ladyship's entrance,though no request of introduction had been made.
“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.”
“May I take the liberty of asking your ladyship whether you left Mr.and Mrs.Collins well.”
“And can you likewise declare,that there is no foundation for it?”
“Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a turn in it,if you will favour me with your company.”
As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following manner:―
“Your coming to Longbourn, to see me and my family,”said Elizabeth coolly,“will be rather a confirmation of it; if, indeed, such a report is in existence.”
Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that her waiting-woman was in it.They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse; Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and disagreeable.