Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 16

During supper, Mr. Bennet said hardly anything; but when the servants had retired, he felt it was time for him to talk to his guest, and set out to find someone whom he expected Mr. Collins to listen to. He would begin with a brilliant title, saying how lucky he was to have such a benefactor, and how invaluable it was that Mrs. Catherine de Bour respected his wishes and took care of his life.Mr. Bennet could not have chosen the subject more to his liking.As soon as the conversation began, his serious expression became more serious, and he declared very solemnly that he had never seen a person of value and position in his life who had such virtues as Lady Catherine— — such affability and condescension.He had already had the honor of speaking in her presence twice, and both times she listened with great pleasure and commended her.She had also invited him to dine twice at Rosings, and had invited him to a four-handed game just last Saturday evening. (A card game popular in the eighteenth century, with forty cards for four.) Lady Catherine was considered very haughty by many of his acquaintances, but he saw only amiability in her.In her ordinary conversation with him she always regarded him as a man of honor; she had no objection to his company with his neighbors, or to his occasional visits from the parish for a week or two to visit his relatives.She even thoughtfully suggested that he add some shelves to the upstairs closet.

"She does all this with great decency," said Mrs. Bennet. "I dare say she is an easy-going woman. It's a pity that, generally speaking, ladies like her are so rare. Does she live near you, sir?"

"The garden of my humble house is only separated from Rosings Garden, where my wife lives."

"You seem to have said that she was a widow, sir? Was there anyone else in her family?"

"She has but one daughter, who is the heir to this Rosings house and a very large estate."

"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head. "Then she is much better than many girls. What kind of girl is she? Is she pretty?"

"She is indeed a very charming girl. Lady Catherine herself said that in pure beauty, Mademoiselle de Bourgh surpassed the prettiest girls; She was of a noble blood. Unfortunately, her weak constitution prevented her from attaining in many respects what she might have attained; this was said by the lady who taught her, and she still speaks to them. Mother and daughter lived together. Mademoiselle de Bourgh was amiable, very amiable, and often visited the cottage in her pony-drawn carriage."

"Has she ever seen the emperor? I don't remember her name among the women who have been in the palace."

"Her unsatisfactory state of health prevented her from going to the town; and it was for this reason, as I once told Lady Catherine the other day, that the English court lost one of its brightest Pearl. The old lady seemed delighted to hear this, and you may imagine that I would gladly offer, at every opportunity, some of those clever compliments that women love to hear. I have said more than once to Lady Catherine that she His daughter is a natural duchess, and even the highest position can no longer add to her splendor, but only because of her to increase its splendor.—The old lady was delighted by these pleasant compliments, not to mention this That kind of hospitality is what I feel I owe it to myself.”

"Your judgement is apt," said Mr. Bennet, "and you are very pleased with your gift for tactful compliments. May I ask whether these flattery of yours are of a whim?" Or is it the result of your constant attention?"

"Mostly they arise from the occasion. Although I sometimes rehearse little compliments privately with great interest for actual occasions, I always wish to give as much as I can. a natural quality with them."

Mr. Bennet's preconceptions were amply borne out.His cousin was as absurd as he imagined. He listened to his nephew's narration with great interest, while maintaining a detached expression on his face. Except for occasionally throwing a knowing look at Elizabeth, he just Enjoying this joy silently alone.

But when it came time for tea, enough of the scene had been enacted, and Mr. Bennet cheerfully led his guests into the drawing-room, and when the tea was over he happily asked him to read to the ladies. what.Mr. Collins adapted at once, and a book was soon fetched; But he couldn't help but startled, and begged forgiveness, saying that he had never read novels or anything like that. — Kitty stared at him with wide-eyed amazement, and Lydia uttered an exclamation. —The other books were brought again, and after some selection he picked up a Sermon by Verdys (Ferdis (1720-96), an English Presbyterian clergyman and a poet . His work was so popular that it was reprinted in several editions.).Lydia was dumbfounded to see him turn the pages of such a book, and interrupted him before he had finished three pages in his monotonous voice.

"Did you know, Mother, that Uncle Philip said he was going to fire Mr. Richard, and if that was the case, Colonel Forster would have hired him. My aunt told me that on Saturday. I'll be walking to-morrow. Meryton, and look into the matter again, and ask Mr. Denny, by the way, when he will be back from town."

The two sisters bade Lydia keep quiet, but Mr. Collins, already annoyed, dropped his book and said:

"I have often said that young girls are seldom interested in serious books, though they are written solely for their benefit. I confess it puzzles me;— For there is no doubt that nothing would be more beneficial to them than instruction. But I would not try to force my youngest cousin with it."

Finally, he turned to Mr. Bennet, and said that he would play dice with him. (A game in which each side has fifteen pieces, and the dice are rolled to determine the number of squares.) Mr. Bennet accepted his suggestion, saying that it was a good idea for him to leave the girls to their own little pleasures. It's a smart move.Both Mrs. Bennet and her daughters apologized very politely to Mr. Collins for Lydia's insolence, and assured Mr. Collins that it would never happen if he would read on; However, the gentleman reiterated that he did not blame his little cousin at all, nor did he take her behavior as an offense. After speaking, he sat across from Mr. Bennet, ready to play with his son.

(End of this chapter)