صفحة 328 من 817

"Yes, Miss Elizabeth, you will have the honour of seeing Lady

Catherine de Bourgh on the ensuing Sunday at church, and I need

not say you will be delighted with her. She is all affability and

condescension, and I doubt not but you will be honoured with some

portion of her notice when service is over. I have scarcely any

hesitation in saying that she will include you and my sister

Maria in every invitation with which she honours us during your

stay here. Her behaviour to my dear Charlotte is charming. We

dine at Rosings twice every week, and are never allowed to walk

home. Her Ladyship's carriage is regularly ordered for us. I

should say, one of her Ladyship's carriages, for she has

several."

"Lady Catherine is a very respectable, sensible woman, indeed,"

added Charlotte, "and a most attentive neighbour."

"Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort

of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference."