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They were of course all intending to be surprised: but their

astonishment was beyond their expectation; and on the part of

Mrs. Bennet and Kitty, though she was perfectly unknown to them,

even inferior to what Elizabeth felt.

She entered the room with an air more than usually ungracious,

made no other reply to Elizabeth's salutation than a slight

inclination of the head, and sat down without saying a word.

Elizabeth had mentioned her name to her mother on her Ladyship's

entrance, though no request of introduction had been made.

Mrs. Bennet, all amazement, though flattered by having a guest of

such high importance, received her with the utmost politeness.

After sitting for a moment in silence, she said, very stiffly, to

Elizabeth,--

"I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your

mother?"

Elizabeth replied very concisely that she was.

"And that, I suppose, is one of your sisters?"