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other by the voice of every member of their respective houses； and
what is to divide them？ The upstart pretensions of a young woman
without family； connections； or fortune。 Is this to be endured！ But
it must not； shall not be。 If you were sensible of your own good；
you would not wish to quit the sphere； in which you have been
brought up。’
‘In marrying your nephew； I should not consider myself as
quitting that sphere。 He is a gentleman； I am a gentleman’s
daughter； so far we are equal。’
‘True。 You are a gentleman’s daughter。 But who was your
mother？ Who are your uncles and aunts？ Do not imagine me
ignorant of their condition。’
‘Whatever my connections may be；’ said Elizabeth； ‘if your
nephew does not object to them； they can be nothing to you。’
‘Tell me once for all； are you engaged to him？’
Though Elizabeth would not； for the mere purpose of obliging
Lady Catherine； have answered this question； she could not but
say； after a moment’s deliberation；
‘I am not。’
Lady Catherine seemed pleased。
‘And will you promise me； never to enter into such an
engagement？’
‘I will make no promise of the kind。’
‘Miss Bennet I am shocked and astonished。 I expected to find a
more reasonable young woman。 But do not deceive yourself into a
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belief that I will ever recede。 I shall not go away； till you have
given me the assurance I require。
‘And I certainly never shall give it。 I am not to be intimidated
into anything so wholly unreasonable。 Your ladyship wants Mr。
Darcy to marry your daughter； but would my giving you the
wished…for promise； make their marriage at all more probable？
Supposing him to be attached to me； would my refusing to accept
his hand； make him wish to bestow it on his cousin？ Allow me to
say； Lady Catherine； that the arguments with which you have
supported this extraordinary application； have been as frivolous as
the application was ill…judged。 You have widely mistaken my
character； if you think I can be worked on by such persuasions as
these。 How far your nephew might approve of your interference in
his affairs； I cannot tell； but you have certainly no right to concern
yourself in mine。 I must beg； therefore； to be importuned no
farther on the subject。’
‘Not so hasty； if you please。 I have by no means done。 To all the
objections I have already urged； I have still another to add。 I am no
stranger to the particulars of your youngest sister’s infamous
elopement。 I know it all； that the young man’s marrying her； was a
patched…up business； at the expence of your father and uncles。
And is such a girl to be my nephew’s sister？ Is her husband； is the
son of his late father’s steward； to be his brother？ Heaven and
earth！—of what are you thinking？ Are the shades of Pemberley to
be thus polluted？’
‘You can now have nothing farther to say；’ she resentfully
answered。 ‘You have insulted me； in every possible method。 I must
beg to return to the house。’
And she rose as she spoke。 Lady Catherine rose also； and they
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turned back。 Her ladyship was highly incensed。
‘You have no regard； then； for the honour and credit of my
nephew！ Unfeeling； selfish girl！ Do you not consider that a
connection with you； must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody？’
‘Lady Catherine； I have nothing farther to say。 You know my
sentiments。’
‘You are then resolved to have him？’
‘I have said no such thing。 I am only resolved to act in that
manner； which will； in my own opinion； constitute my happiness；
without reference to you； or to any person so wholly unconnected
with me。’
‘It is well。 You refuse； then； to oblige me。 You refuse to obey the
claims of duty； honour； and gratitude。 You are determined to ruin
him in the opinion of all his friends； and make him the contempt of
the world。’
‘Neither duty； nor honour； nor gratitude；’ replied Elizabeth；
‘have any possible claim on me； in the present instance。 No
principle of either； would be violated by my marriage with Mr。
Darcy。 And with regard to the resentment of his family； or the
indignation of the world； if the former were excited by his
marrying me； it would not give me one moment’s concern—and
the world in general would have too much sense to join in the
scorn。’
‘And this is your real opinion！ This is your final resolve！ Very
well。 I shall now know how to act。 Do not imagine； Miss Bennet；
that your ambition will ever be gratified。 I came to try you。 I hoped
to find you reasonable； but depend upon it I will carry my point。’
In this manner Lady Catherine talked on； till they were at the
door of the carriage； when turning hastily round； she added；
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‘I take no leave of you； Miss Bennet。 I send no compliments to
your mother。 You deserve no such attention。 I am most seriously
displeased。’
Elizabeth made no answer； and without attempting to persuade
her ladyship to return into the house； walked quietly into it
herself。 She heard the carriage drive away as she proceeded up
stairs。 Her mother impatiently met her at the door of the dressing…
room； to ask why Lady Catherine would not come in again and
rest herself。
‘She did not choose it；’ said her daughter； ‘she would go。’
‘She is a very fine…looking woman！ and her calling here was
prodigiously civil！ for she only came； I suppose； to tell us the
Collinses were well。 She is on her road somewhere； I d