Chapter V
Lady Catherine de Bourgh listened to her son-in-law’s narrative, with the most attentive silence. At the conclusion of it, she returned to her seat, and endeavouring to assume an appearance of composure, resumed her conversation with her daughter. Elizabeth, however, was not to be so easily pacified. She had been too much shocked by the account of Mr. Darcy’s behaviour, to be able to think of anything else.
“I wonder,” said she, “what my uncle must think of us. I have never been so unhappy in my life, as I have been since I came to Netherfield. I wish I had never been born!”
“My dear Miss Bennet,” replied Mr. Collins, “you must not distress yourself. I am sure that your uncle will think nothing of it. And as for your being unhappy, I am sure that you have no reason to be so. You have everything to make you happy.”
“But, Mr. Collins,” said Elizabeth, “I am not happy. I have a great deal to make me unhappy. I have a great deal to think of, and I cannot help thinking of it.”
“My dear Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Collins, “I am very sorry to hear that. But I am sure that you will be happy in the end. And as for your thinking of it, I am sure that you will be able to think of nothing else.”
Elizabeth was not at all comforted by his assurance. She was more convinced than ever, that Mr. Darcy was a most disagreeable man. And she could not help thinking that he had been very much to blame.
“I am sure,” said she, “that I shall never see him again.”
“I hope,” said Mr. Collins, “that you will not think so. I am sure that you will have occasion to think differently of him in the end.”
Elizabeth made no answer. She was very much vexed. She did not know what to do. She wished that she could have her own home again. She wished that she had never come to Netherfield.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh, however, had no such scruples. She was exceedingly well pleased with herself, and with the manner in which she had conducted herself. She was convinced that she had done all that she could do to improve the understanding of her nephew. And she was sure that he would be very grateful to her for it.
She now turned to Elizabeth, and said, “My dear Miss Bennet, I am very glad to find that you are so well disposed to our family. I am sure that you will be very happy with us. And I am sure that you will have no occasion to regret your choice.”
Elizabeth, however, could not feel at all grateful for her ladyship’s condescension. She was very much displeased with her. She did not know what to say. She felt that she had never been so mortified in her life.
“I am very much obliged to you, madam,” said she, “but I cannot accept of your ladyship’s invitation.”
Lady Catherine de Bourgh was very much surprised. She had never been refused anything in her life. She could not conceive that any one would have the courage to refuse her.
“I cannot conceive, madam,” said she, “that you have any reason to refuse me. I am sure that you have no reason to be unhappy. You have everything to make you happy. And I am sure that you will be very happy with us.”
Elizabeth, however, was not to be persuaded. She was very much determined to refuse her. She did not know what to say. She felt that she had never been so proud in her life.
“I am very much obliged to you, madam,” said she, “but I cannot accept of your ladyship’s invitation.”