“I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kd vitation,”replied Elizabeth,“but it is not my power to accept it.I must be town next Saturday.”
“Why,at that rate,you will have been here only six weeks. I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Colls so before you came. There can be no occasion for your gog so soon. Mrs. Bennet could certaly spare you for another fortnight.”
“But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return.”
“Oh!your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Daughters are never of so much consequence to a father. And if you will stay another month complete,it will be my power to take one of you as far as London,for I am gog there early June,for a week;and as Dawson does not object to the barouche-box,there will be very good room for one of you—and deed,if the weather should happen to be cool,I should not object to takg you both,as you are neither of you large.”
“You are all kdness,madam;but I believe we must abide by our origal plan.”
Lady Cathere seemed resigned.“Mrs. Colls, you must send a servant with them.You know I always speak my md, and I cannot bear the idea of two young women travellg post by themselves.It is highly improper.You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike the world to that sort of thg.Young women should always be properly guarded and attended, accordg to their situation life.When my niece Georgiana went to Ramsgate last summer,I made a pot of her havg two men-servants go with her.Miss Darcy,the daughter of Mr.Darcy,of Pemberley,and Lady Anne,could not have appeared with propriety a different manner.I am excessively attentive to all those thgs.You must send John with the young ladies,Mrs. Colls.I am glad it occurred to me to mention it;for it would really be discreditable to you to let them go alone.”
“My uncle is to send a servant for us.”
↑返回顶部↑