Pride and Prejudice; Sense and Sensibility

Chapter 31 A Visit to Rosings

Mr. Collins was very pleased with Rosings' treat this time.He originally wanted to let these curious guests see the grandeur of his benefactor's house, and see how polite and considerate the old lady treated them and his wife.How could he get the chance to get his wish so quickly!This incident is enough to show that Mrs. Catherine's virtuous corporal made him wonder how to admire her.

"Honestly," said he, "I am not at all surprised that her old man invites us to Sunday tea and spend an afternoon at Rosings. She is always so accommodating, and I think she really wants to do so, But who would have expected it to be as grand as this time? Who would have thought that you would be invited to dinner there just after you came here—and all of you were invited?"

Sir William said: "I don't find it very strange what happened just now. It's the same with the behavior of big people. People with status like me have seen a lot. Among the dignitaries and nobles, such elegant and hospitable things No surprise."

All that day and next morning there was almost no talk of going to Rosings.Mr. Collins told them everything carefully in advance, what they were going to see there, so that they would not see such a magnificent building, so many servants, and so rich dishes, which would cause temporary panic and bewilderment.

When the girls were about to go to their adornments, he said to Elizabeth again, "Don't worry about your dresses, dear cousin. Lady Catherine wouldn't want us to be richly dressed, it's only for her and her daughter. I I advise you to just choose a good one among your own clothes, and don't be too particular. Lady Catherine will never look down on you because your clothes are plain. A high and low."

While the girls were getting ready, he went two or three times to the doors of the various ones, to persuade them to hurry up, for Lady Catherine hated being late to dinner.Maria Lucas was startled to hear that her old man behaved so horribly, because she was never very social.At the thought of visiting Rosings she was as terrified as her father had been at court.

It was a clear day and they took a pleasant walk of almost half a mile through the estate.Every manor house has its own beauty. Elizabeth looked at it with a relaxed and happy heart, but she was not as Mr. Collins expected, she would be intoxicated by the scenery in front of her, even though he pointed to the windows in front of the house and said that it was just these The glass, which had cost Sir Lewis de Bourgh a considerable sum in the first place, did not move her.

As they went up the steps into the hall Maria felt a growing sense of panic, and even Sir William could not quite keep his composure, but Elizabeth did not flinch.No matter in terms of talents or virtues, she never heard that there was anything remarkable about Lady Catherine that could arouse her awe. Only because she was rich and powerful, she would not be frightened when she saw her.

Entering the hall, Mr. Collins pointed out the grandeur of the house with a look of ecstasy, and the servants led the guests through the hall to the sitting room of Lady Catherine, mother and daughter, and Mrs. Jenkins. .The lady rose to meet them with the utmost humility.According to the arrangement that Mrs. Collins had discussed with her husband in advance, Mrs. Collins would present herself on the spot to introduce the host and guest, so the introduction was very decent, and all those apologies and gratitudes that Mr. Collins thought were necessary were omitted.

Although Sir William had once entered the palace to meet the emperor, but he couldn't help being completely frightened when he saw the richness and grandeur around him, so he bent down and sat down without saying a word.And his daughter, who was almost out of her wits with fright, sat on the edge of the chair, not knowing where to look.Elizabeth, on the other hand, looked at the three hostesses completely calmly and leisurely.Lady Catherine is tall, with clear features, and may have been good-looking when she was young. Her appearance is not very polite, and the attitude of receiving guests cannot make them forget their humble status.It was not her silence that was so frightening, but her voice always so high and pretentious that Elizabeth immediately thought of Mr. Wickham's words.After a whole day of observation, she felt that Lady Catherine was exactly what Wickham had described.

Taking a good look at her, she saw at once that there was some resemblance to Mr. Darcy in her features, and then she turned her eyes to her daughter.She was almost as surprised as Maria at seeing her daughter so thin and small.There was no similarity between the mother and daughter, regardless of their physical appearance.Mademoiselle de Bourgh was pale and sickly, and her features, though not ugly, were inconspicuous.She didn't talk much, except for a few whispers to Mrs. Jenkins.Mrs. Jenkins's features were not at all outstanding, she just listened intently to what the young lady said, and stood in front of her so that she couldn't see too well.

After sitting for a few minutes, the guests were all sent to the windows to enjoy the view outside.Mr. Collins accompanied them, showing them places, and Lady Catherine kindly told them that it would be even more beautiful in summer.

The banquet was indeed very decent, and the servants serving and the utensils for serving wine and vegetables were exactly as Mr. Collins had described, and as he expected in advance, the lady asked him to sit at the bottom table.Looking at his air, it seems that there is nothing more proud of in life than this.He cut and ate, and at the same time raved with gusto; he praised each dish first, and Sir William boasted afterwards.It turned out that Sir William was now quite free from fear, and could be his son-in-law's answer.

Elizabeth could not help wondering how Lady Catherine could stand it.But Lady Catherine seemed very satisfied with these exaggerated compliments, and always showed a benevolent smile, especially when she brought a dish that the guests had never seen before to the table, she was very proud.The guests and hosts had nothing to talk about, but Elizabeth always had something to say if someone else started, but she was sitting in the wrong place. On one side was Charlotte, who was listening attentively to Lady Catherine; Miss Power, don't speak a word to her the whole meal.Mrs. Jenkins was chiefly concerned with Miss de Bourgh, and when she saw that she was eating too little, she forced her to eat this and that, fearing that she would not be of any use.Maria didn't want to talk at all, the men just ate and praised.

When the ladies returned to the drawing room, they only listened to Lady Catherine's conversation.Madame talked on and on until the coffee was served.No matter which matter she talked about, she was always so decisive that she would not allow others to object.She unceremoniously asked Charlotte about her daily life, and gave her a lot of advice on housekeeping.She told Charlotte that in such a small family as hers, everything should be carefully arranged, and taught her how to take care of the cows and fowls.Elizabeth found that this lady would not let a little matter, however small, be easily let go, so long as she had the opportunity to dominate others.

When Lady Catherine and Lady Collins talked, she asked Maria and Elizabeth a few words now and then, especially Elizabeth.She did not quite know what relation Elizabeth had to them, but she told Mrs Collins that she was a very refined and pretty girl.She asked Elizabeth several times how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger, whether any of them were married, whether they were good-looking, where they were educated, what kind of carriages their father had, and what kind of carriages her mother had. What is your maiden name?Elizabeth found her question very abrupt, but answered her calmly.

Then Lady Catherine said: "Mr. Collins will inherit your father's property, I suppose?"

At this point, she turned to Charlotte and said, "I'm glad to think about you. Otherwise, I really don't see any reason not to let my daughters inherit the property, but give it to others. Lewis de Bourgh's family did not find it necessary to do so.—Can you play and sing, Miss Bennet?"

"Know a thing or two."

"Oh, we'd like to hear it sometime. Ours is very good, maybe better than... You'll try it some day. Can your sisters play and sing?"

"There is a meeting."

"Why don't you all learn it? You should all learn it. All the Miss Webbs can do it, and their father's income is not as good as your father's. Can you draw?"

"No, not at all."

"So, not one?"

"None."

"It's very strange. I guess you have no chance to learn. Your mother should take you to the city every spring to vote for famous teachers."

"My mother wouldn't object, but my father hates London."

"Has your governess gone?"

"We never had governesses."

"There's no governess! How's that going? There are five girls being educated and no governess! I've never heard of such a thing! Your mother has educated you like slaves."

Elizabeth could not help laughing, and told her that it was not so.

"Then who will teach you? Who will serve you? Without a governess, you are left alone, aren't you?"

"Compared with some other families, our family treats us relatively laxly, but among the sisters, anyone who is eager to learn will never be helpless. The family often encourages us to study hard, and we have the necessary teachers. If anyone deliberately You can be lazy, of course."

"There is no doubt about it. But it is the governess's business to prevent such things, and if I knew your mother, I should try to persuade her to have one. I always think that there is a lack of step-by-step instruction, education There would be no grades, and step-by-step instruction only a governess can give. It's interesting to say that many people have been introduced to governesses by me. I always like to have a young person well-placed. Mrs. Jenkins's four nieces have all been introduced by me to desirable positions. Just the other day I recommended another girl who was just mentioned to me by chance, and the family was very satisfied with her. --Did I tell you, Mrs. Collins, that Mrs. Metcal came to thank me yesterday? She thought Miss Pope was a treasure. She said to me: 'Lady Catherine, you have given me a treasure.' —have any of your sisters been out in the society, Miss Bennet?"

"Yes, ma'am, all of them have come out to socialize."

"All out to socialize! What? Five sisters came out to socialize at the same time! How strange! You are only the second! The younger sister is out to socialize before the older sister is married! Your younger sisters must be very young, right?"

"Yes, the youngest is only sixteen. Perhaps she is too young to have many friends. But, madam, if the elder sisters cannot marry early, or do not want to marry early, the younger sister cannot have society and entertainment. , That's really hard for them. The youngest and the oldest have the same right to enjoy youth. How can they be allowed to stay at home for such a reason! I thought it would be impossible to promote the relationship between sisters, and it would It is impossible to develop a gentle character."

"I don't think so," said Madame, "that you can be so independent at such a young age. May I ask how old you are?"

"I already have three adult sisters," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Your old man will never ask me to tell my age again."

Lady Catherine looked surprised that no straightforward answer was received.Elizabeth felt that she was the first person who dared to joke with such an impolite rich lady.

"You're never over 20, so you don't have to hide your age."

"I'm under 21."

When tea was over and the men had come to their side, a card table was set up.Lady Catherine, Sir William, and Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat down to play forty cards; Miss de Bourgh was going to play "cassino," and the two girls had the honor of helping Mrs. Jenkins round her up.Their table was quite dull, and there was not a single word which did not refer to the game of cards, except that Mrs. Jenkins asked Miss de Bourgh if she was too cold or too hot, or if the light was too strong or too dim.The other table was much more impressive.Lady Catherine talked almost all the time, pointing out the faults of the other three, or telling anecdotes of her own.When she said something to the old man, Mr. Collins agreed. He would thank her once for every win; if he won too much, he would have to apologize to her.Sir William said little, but filled his mind with anecdotes and noble names.

When Mrs. Catherine and her daughter had had enough and didn't want to play any more, the two tables of cards were over.She sent Mrs. Collins back in the carriage, which Mrs. Collins gratefully accepted, and immediately sent for a harness.They gathered around the fire again, listening to Lady Catherine's judgment on the weather to-morrow.They didn't stop training until the carriage came and they boarded the carriage.Many words of gratitude from Mr. Collins, and many bows from Sir William, preceded our farewell.As soon as the carriage was out of the door, Collins asked Elizabeth to express her feelings about Rosings, and she reluctantly evaded him for Charlotte's sake.Although she managed to say a lot of good things, she was not at all satisfactory to Mr. Collins.Collins had no choice but to speak in person immediately, and praised the old lady again.

(End of this chapter)