Pagina 741 van 817

Mrs. Bennet, with great civility, begged her Ladyship to take

some refreshment: but Lady Catherine very resolutely, and not

very politely, declined eating anything; and then, rising up,

said to Elizabeth,--

"Miss Bennet, there seemed to be a prettyish kind of a little

wilderness on one side of your lawn. I should be glad to take a

turn in it, if you will favour me with your company."

"Go, my dear," cried her mother, "and show her Ladyship about the

different walks. I think she will be pleased with the hermitage."

Elizabeth obeyed; and, running into her own room for her parasol,

attended her noble guest downstairs. As they passed through the

hall, Lady Catherine opened the doors into the dining-parlour and

drawing-room, and pronouncing them, after a short survey, to be

decent-looking rooms, walked on.