Pagina 166 di 817

"No, indeed, I did not. I knew nothing at all of Lady Catherine's

connections. I never heard of her existence till the day before

yesterday."

"Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune,

and it is believed that she and her cousin will unite the two

estates."

This information made Elizabeth smile, as she thought of poor

Miss Bingley. Vain indeed must be all her attentions, vain and

useless her affection for his sister and her praise of himself,

if he were already self-destined to another.

"Mr. Collins," said she, "speaks highly both of Lady Catherine

and her daughter; but, from some particulars that he has related

of her Ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him; and that,

in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant,

conceited woman."