Chapter 29

           Mr.Collins’striumph,inconsequenceofthisinvitation,wascomplete. Thepowerofdisplayingthegrandeurofhispatronesstohiswonderingvisitors,andoflettingthemseehercivilitytowardshimselfandhiswife,wasexactlywhathehadwishedfor; andthatanopportunityofdoingitshouldbegivensosoon,wassuchaninstanceofLadyCatherine’scondescension,asheknewnothowtoadmireenough. 

           "Iconfess,"saidhe,"thatIshouldnothavebeenatallsurprisedbyherladyship’saskingusonSundaytodrinkteaandspendtheeveningatRosings. Iratherexpected,frommyknowledgeofheraffability,thatitwouldhappen. Butwhocouldhaveforeseensuchanattentionasthis? Whocouldhaveimaginedthatweshouldreceiveaninvitationtodinethere(aninvitation,moreover,includingthewholeparty)soimmediatelyafteryourarrival!" 

           "Iamthelesssurprisedatwhathashappened,"repliedSirWilliam,"fromthatknowledgeofwhatthemannersofthegreatreallyare,whichmysituationinlifehasallowedmetoacquire. Aboutthecourt,suchinstancesofelegantbreedingarenotuncommon." 

           ScarcelyanythingwastalkedofthewholedayornextmorningbuttheirvisittoRosings. Mr.Collinswascarefullyinstructingtheminwhattheyweretoexpect,thatthesightofsuchrooms,somanyservants,andsosplendidadinner,mightnotwhollyoverpowerthem. 

           Whentheladieswereseparatingforthetoilette,hesaidtoElizabeth— 

           "Donotmakeyourselfuneasy,mydearcousin,aboutyourapparel. LadyCatherineisfarfromrequiringthateleganceofdressinuswhichbecomesherselfandherdaughter.