Elizabeth was forced to give into a little falsehood here;for to acknowledge the substance of their conversation was impossible.
“I will make no promise of the kind.”
“Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say.You know my sentiments.”
“You can now have nothing further to say,”she resentfully answered.“You have insulted me in every possible method.I must beg to return to the house.”
“I am not.”
“I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner,which will,in my own opinion,constitute my happiness, without reference to you,or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”
“And will you promise me,never to enter into such an engagement?”
In this manner Lady Catherine talked on,till they were at the door of the carriage,when,turning hastily round,she added,
Elizabeth made no answer;and without attempting to persuade her ladyship to return into the house,walked quietly into it herself. She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up stairs.Her mother impatiently met her at the door of the dressing-room,to ask why Lady Catherine would not come in again and rest herself.
“She is a very fine-looking woman! and her calling here was prodigiously civil! for she only came, I suppose, to tell us the Collinses were well.She is on her road somewhere,I dare say,and so, passing through Meryton, thought she might as well call on you.I suppose she had nothing particular to say to you,Lizzy?”