Sayfa 341 / 817

She asked her at different times how many sisters she had,

whether they were older or younger than herself, whether any of

them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where

they had been educated, what carriage her father kept, and what

had been her mother's maiden name? Elizabeth felt all the

impertinence of her questions, but answered them very composedly.

Lady Catherine then observed,--

"Your father's estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think? For

your sake," turning to Charlotte, "I am glad of it; but otherwise

I see no occasion for entailing estates from the female line. It

was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh's family. Do you

play and sing, Miss Bennet?"

"A little."

"Oh then--some time or other we shall be happy to hear you. Our

instrument is a capital one, probably superior to ---- you shall

try it some day. Do your sisters play and sing?"

"One of them does."