Mr. Bennet observed the lavish decor with mild amusement, shaking his head at his cousin’s enthusiasm. “It is indeed very fine, Collins. Though I imagine even magnificence may have its inconveniences.”
“Do you not perceive, Mr. Bennet?” Mr. Collins said earnestly. “The splendour of Rosings speaks directly to the character of Lady Catherine. She is the very embodiment of propriety and distinction!”
Elizabeth, always observant, took in the apartment with a discerning eye, though her thoughts were not wholly confined to what was before her.
Upon entering the parlour, Lady Catherine de Bourgh rose with composed dignity. Mr. Collins, eager to discharge his duty, stepped forward at once.
“Allow me, your ladyship,” Mr. Collins said, “to present to you my honoured relative, Mr. Bennet of Longbourn, and his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Bennet—of whom I took the liberty of writing to your ladyship earlier today.”
Lady Catherine inclined her head with measured civility.
“I am obliged to you, Mr. Collins,” she said. “Mr. Bennet, you are welcome to Rosings. Miss Bennet—” she paused, directing a composed and searching look toward Elizabeth “—I am glad to make your acquaintance.”
Mr. Collins, eager to express his gratitude, immediately launched into a speech. “I am most sincerely obliged to your ladyship for your condescension and hospitality. It is an honour beyond expression to be received in your distinguished residence.”
Lady Catherine inclined her head, accustomed to such declarations.
“Thank you for your kind invitation and reception, Lady Catherine,” Mr. Bennet said, with composed civility. “We are much obliged to your ladyship.”
Lady Catherine motioned for them to be seated. “Dinner will be served shortly. I trust your journey was not fatiguing?”
As they complied, Elizabeth could not but observe the arrangement of the room, which spoke as plainly of authority as of expense. Lady Catherine, with evident command, soon directed the conversation toward Mr. Collins’s visit and the late occurrences at Hunsford.
“Mr. Collins,” she began, in a tone of calm decision, “I must inform you that since your last visit, another gentleman has applied for the living at Hunsford, and I have thought it proper to dispose of it accordingly. Your journey, therefore, may have been unnecessary.”
Though already apprised of the circumstance, Mr. Collins could not entirely conceal his discomposure. “Unnecessary?” he repeated. “But, your ladyship, I had imagined—”
“However,” Lady Catherine continued, with little concern for his interruption, “since you are here, you will remain in the neighbourhood for a few days. I shall expect to see you at Rosings, and it is always my wish that proper attention be shown to those who have the advantage of my notice.”
Mr. Collins bowed deeply, his disappointment yielding at once to gratitude. He understood immediately that all his efforts must prove in vain; the living had already been secured by a former fellow of his college. For a moment, he felt unsteady, as though the room itself were not entirely fixed; but to vex her ladyship could lead to nothing good, while well-placed flattery was never bestowed without return.
Mr. Bennet raised his chin slightly, as if to remind him that composure was still required.
“Are all your daughters as well-looking and well-behaved as Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet?” Lady Catherine asked, turning the discourse.
“Your ladyship is very good,” Mr. Bennet replied. “I wish at least three of them might answer so well to your description.”
Lady Catherine smiled slightly. “And what of you, Miss Elizabeth?” she said. “Is your father’s estate entailed to Mr. Collins, as I have been told?”
“It is, madam,” Elizabeth answered calmly. “Though my father’s health gives us no present cause for apprehension.”
Lady Catherine regarded her narrowly. “You speak with composure on a subject which might reasonably engage more concern.”
“I believe, madam,” Elizabeth said, with steady civility, “that some matters are best borne with patience, until they demand otherwise.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes rested on his daughter with quiet satisfaction.
Mr. Collins, however, grew visibly uneasy. “Your ladyship may depend upon it,” he said hastily, “that in all suchconsiderations, your superior judgement will ever be our safest guide.”
Lady Catherine dismissed this with a slight motion of her hand. “We need not enlarge upon it. There are always arrangements to be made, and I expect them to be properly understood.”
As the conversation returned to safer subjects, Elizabeth felt more strongly the peculiar character of her hostess—a mixture of authority, habit, and unexamined certainty. Yet she was equally sensible that she must meet it with composure of her own.
Thus, though the splendour of Rosings and the consequence of its mistress might have imposed upon many, Elizabeth retained her self-possession; and, whatever trials their visit might yet produce, she resolved to observe them with that mixture of discernment and spirit which had seldom failed her before.
***
The tranquillity of the room was interrupted only by the discreet entrance of the butler, whose composed formality admitted of no uncertainty of purpose. At a slight inclination of Lady Catherine’s head, he announced, in a measured tone, that dinner was served.
