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.

     Her carriage remained at the door, and Elizabeth saw that her waiting-woman was in it. They proceeded in silence along the gravel walk that led to the copse; Elizabeth was determined to make no effort for conversation with a woman who was now more than usually insolent and disagreeable.

     "How could I ever think her like her nephew?" said she, as she looked in her face.

     As soon as they entered the copse, Lady Catherine began in the following manner:--

     "You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand the reason of my journey hither. Your own heart, your own conscience, must tell you why I come."

     Elizabeth looked with unaffected astonishment.

     "Indeed, you are mistaken, Madam. I have not been at all able to account for the honour of seeing you here."