Pagina 197 de 817

"I have found out," said he, "by a singular accident, that there

is now in the room a near relation to my patroness. I happened to

overhear the gentleman himself mentioning to the young lady who

does the honours of this house the names of his cousin Miss De

Bourgh, and of her mother, Lady Catherine. How wonderfully these

sort of things occur! Who would have thought of my meeting

with--perhaps--a nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh in this

assembly! I am most thankful that the discovery is made in time

for me to pay my respects to him, which I am now going to do, and

trust he will excuse my not having done it before. My total

ignorance of the connection must plead my apology."

"You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr. Darcy?"

"Indeed I am. I shall entreat his pardon for not having done it

earlier. I believe him to be Lady Catherine's nephew. It will be

in my power to assure him that her Ladyship was quite well

yesterday se'nnight."