Страница 757 из 817

And her neighbours at Lucas Lodge, therefore, (for through their

communication with the Collinses, the report, she concluded, had

reached Lady Catherine,) had only set that down as almost certain

and immediate which she had looked forward to as possible at some

future time.

In revolving Lady Catherine's expressions, however, she could not

help feeling some uneasiness as to the possible consequence of

her persisting in this interference. From what she had said of

her resolution to prevent the marriage, it occurred to Elizabeth

that she must meditate an application to her nephew; and how he

might take a similar representation of the evils attached to a

connection with her she dared not pronounce. She knew not the

exact degree of his affection for his aunt, or his dependence on

her judgment, but it was natural to suppose that he thought much

higher of her Ladyship than she could do; and it was certain,

that in enumerating the miseries of a marriage with one whose

immediate connections were so unequal to his own, his aunt would

address him on his weakest side. With his notions of dignity, he

would probably feel that the arguments, which to Elizabeth had

appeared weak and ridiculous, contained much good sense and solid

reasoning.