Pagina 740 di 817

"Yes, madam," said Mrs. Bennet, delighted to speak to a Lady

Catherine. "She is my youngest girl but one. My youngest of all

is lately married, and my eldest is somewhere about the ground,

walking with a young man, who, I believe, will soon become a part

of the family."

"You have a very small park here," returned Lady Catherine, after

a short silence.

"It is nothing in comparison of Rosings, my Lady, I dare say;

but, I assure you, it is much larger than Sir William Lucas's."

"This must be a most inconvenient sitting-room for the evening in

summer: the windows are full west."

Mrs. Bennet assured her that they never sat there after dinner;

and then added,--

"May I take the liberty of asking your Ladyship whether you left

Mr. and Mrs. Collins well?"

"Yes, very well. I saw them the night before last."

Elizabeth now expected that she would produce a letter for her

from Charlotte, as it seemed the only probable motive for her

calling. But no letter appeared, and she was completely puzzled.