“At once to insist upon having such a report universally contradicted.”
“If you believed it impossible to be true,”said Elizabeth, colouring with astonishment and disdain,“I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far.What could your ladyship propose by it?”
“This must be a most inconvenient sitting room for the evening, in summer;the windows are full west.”
“I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask questions which I shall not choose to answer.”
“You have a very small park here,”returned Lady Catherine after a short silence.
“Go, my dear,”cried her mother,“and show her ladyship about the different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage.”
Elizabeth obeyed, and running into her own room for her parasol, attended her noble guest downstairs.As they passed through the hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlour and drawing-room,and pronouncing them,after a short survey,to be decent looking rooms,walked on.
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.