صفحة 131 من 817

"Her indifferent state of health unhappily prevents her being in

town; and by that means, as I told Lady Catherine myself one day,

has deprived the British Court of its brightest ornament. Her

Ladyship seemed pleased with the idea; and you may imagine that I

am happy on every occasion to offer those little delicate

compliments which are always acceptable to ladies. I have more

than once observed to Lady Catherine, that her charming daughter

seemed born to be a duchess; and that the most elevated rank,

instead of giving her consequence, would be adorned by her. These

are the kind of little things which please her Ladyship, and it

is a sort of attention which I conceive myself peculiarly bound

to pay."

"You judge very properly," said Mr. Bennet; "and it is happy for

you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May

I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse

of the moment, or are the result of previous study?"