Lady Catherine was not one, Elizabeth decided, who was content with silence. Whatever she said was spoken with an authoritative tone marking her self-importance, although most everything she said was nonsensical. She thought of Mr Wickham’s description of the supposedlygreatlady, and in Elizabeth’s mind she noted that Lady Catherine was exactly as he described. That, in her mind, lent credence to what he had told her about Mr Darcy.
When her sketch of the mother was complete, Elizabeth turned her eyes on the daughter. Miss de Bourgh was very thin and very small. There was no resemblance between mother and daughter. Miss de Bourgh was pale, frail, and sickly; her face was sallow; and she looked like she wanted to be anywhere except in the drawing room. She hardly spoke, and when shedid it was in a low voice to Mrs Jenkinson. That lady kept making sure her charge was well wrapped against the cold.
Miss de Bourgh said something to her companion, who then turned to her employer and spoke so only Lady Catherine could hear her.
“You may take Anne to her chambers,” Lady Catherine allowed.
While Mrs Jenkinson assisted Miss de Bourgh from the room, the guests were sent to one of the windows to admire the view. Mr Collins took the opportunity to point out its beauties.
Elizabeth was sure that Lady Catherine did not want them to see how Miss De Bourgh could not support her own weight, and as soon as the companion managed to get her to the door, a footman picked up the lady. She could not fathom how Mr Darcy would marry one who looked like she was at death’s door. Unlike the others in her party, Elizabeth had watched out of the corner of her eye.
Dinner was called. There were too many dishes and courses for Elizabeth’s taste, and the sauces were far too rich. Mr Collins was as proud as a peacock as to where he was seated—at the foot of the table—by her ladyship’s desire and looked as if his life could not be any better. He carved, and ate, and praisedad nauseumwith delight. Every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William, who was now recovered enough to echo whatever his son-in-law said.
Elizabeth thought the praise was as overdone as the meal. However, Lady Catherine took the excessive admiration as her due. Occasionally, she gave almost gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to her guests. What made Elizabeth wonder was how it was that Lady Catherine could be so calm when her daughter was in obvious distress?
The only voice at the table was that of Lady Catherine. She neither needed nor appreciated anyone else to say anything.
When they returned to the drawing room after the meal, Lady Catherine addressed Elizabeth. “Your father’s estate is entailed upon Mr Collins. For your sake,” turning to Charlotte, Lady Catherine stated, “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.” She refused to speak of the entail on Rosings Park. She turned back to Elizabeth. “But tell me, Miss Bennet, why did you reject such an eligible offer as the one Mr Collins made you? I told him to marry a cousin, but as he was refused, I excused him for not following my suggestion.”
“That, Lady Catherine, is between me, my father, and Mr Collins,” Elizabeth replied with as much equanimity as she could. She saw Charlotte was mortified while Mr Collins was preening.
“It is my concern! Mr Collins is my parson, and I pay particular attention to everything in my domain. Come, Miss Bennet, surely the shame of not accepting Mr Collins is not so great?” Lady Catherine pushed.
“Lady Catherine, we did not suit. I would never be happy with Mr Collins, and I am certain the reverse is true. I do not, not for one second, regret my refusal, and if the same offer were made again today, my reply would be the same.” Elizabeth could see that her cousin was no longer preening. “Do not press me on this subject, your Ladyship; I will not speak on it again.”
The mistress of Rosings Park was not used to being spoken to in such a forthright manner. She decided to change the subject. “Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?”
“A little, but rather ill.” Elizabeth kept her voice even.
“Sometime or other we shall be happy to hear you. My pianoforte is a capital one, probably superior to anything on which you have exhibited. You shall try it someday. Do your sisters play and sing?” Lady Catherine probed.
“Two of them do. My eldest sister plays the harp and my next younger sister the pianoforte.”
“There are five daughters, are there not?” Lady Catherine saw Miss Bennet nod. “Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learnt. Do you draw?”
“No, not at all.”
“What, none of you?”
“My sister Catherine has a talent for it, but it has not been developed,” Elizabeth replied.
“Your sister has a noble name. However, that is very strange that you and your sisters do not all have accomplishments. 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 not have objected, but my father hates London. Any masters that we needed came to Longbourn.”
“Is your governess yet with the younger girls? Or has she left your home?” Lady Catherine enquired.
“We never had a governess.”
“No governess! That is unacceptable! 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. “My mother did not superintend our education.”
“Why ever not? It was her duty to do so,” Lady Catherine insisted.
“I am afraid that is a question you would need to ask of my mother, Lady Catherine. I cannot speak for her.” Elizabeth was sure that, thanks to her loquacious cousin, the virago well knew that Mamma was not gently born and wanted to highlight that as part of her desire to feel superior.
“Who taught you? Without a governess, I am certain you were neglected,” Lady Catherine claimed.
