Chapter 30 Chapter Twenty Nine

Mr. Collins was perfectly flattered by Rosings' treat this time.He originally wanted to show these curious guests the majesty of his patroness, and see how polite and considerate the old lady was to the two of them.The fact that he got the chance to get what he wanted so quickly is enough to show that Mrs. Caitlin's virtuous corporal made him not know what to look up to. To tell the truth, he said, I was not at all surprised that her old man invited us to tea on Sunday, to spend an afternoon at Rosings.She is always courteous, and I thought she really wanted to treat her like this, but who expected it to be as grand as this time?Who would have thought that you would be invited over there for dinner (and all of you were invited) just after you came here?

Sir William said: I don't think what happened just now is very strange. It is true of the behavior of great people. People with status like me have seen a lot.Among the dignitaries and aristocrats, this kind of good hospitality is not surprising. All that day and next morning there was practically no talk of going to Rosings.Mr. Collins told them everything in advance of what they were going to see when they went there, lest they should see such a magnificent house, such a large number of servants, and such a rich meal, which would cause temporary confusion and bewilderment. When the girls were going to dress themselves, he said to Elizabeth again:

Don't worry about clothes, dear cousin.Lady Catelyn wouldn't want us to dress up, as only she and her daughter deserve.I advise you to just choose a good one among your own clothes and wear it without being too particular.Lady Catelyn will never look down on you for your modest dress.She likes everyone sticking to their own roles and distinguishing between high and low. While the girls were getting dressed, he went two or three times to the doors of the various ones to persuade them to hurry, for Lady Catelyn hated being late to dinner.Maria.Lucas was shocked to hear that her old man behaved so horrible, because she was not good at socializing.At the thought of visiting Rosings she was as terrified as her father had been at court.

It was a clear day, and they took a pleasant walk of almost half a mile through the garden.The gardens of each family have their own beauty. Elizabeth looks at it with great pleasure, but she is not as intoxicated by the scenery in front of her as Mr. Collins expected.Although he counted the windows in front of the house and said that the glass alone cost Lewis.De.Sir Power had a lot of money, and she was not moved by these words. As they went up the steps into the hall Maria grew more alarmed by the minute, and even Sir William could not quite keep his composure.Elizabeth, however, did not flinch.No matter in terms of talent or virtue, she has never heard of Mrs. Catelyn's greatness enough to arouse her awe. Just because of her wealth and power, she will not make her tremble when she sees it.

After entering the hall, Mr. Collins pointed out the magnificence of the house with a look of ecstasy, and then the servants led the guests through the front hall to the seat of Mrs. Caitlin, mother and daughter, and Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng. between.The lady rose to meet them with the utmost humility.According to a plan which Mrs. Collins had agreed with her husband in advance, Mrs. Collins was present on the spot to introduce the host and guest, so the introduction was very tactful, and all those apologies and thanks which Mr. Collins thought were necessary were omitted. Although Sir William had also entered the palace to see the emperor, he was completely frightened by the richness and grandeur around him, so he bowed and sat down without saying a word; besides, his daughter , was so frightened that he was out of his wits, sitting on the edge of the chair, not knowing where to look.Elizabeth, on the other hand, was quite at ease, and gazed at the three mistresses with deliberate deliberation.Lady Catelyn was a tall woman, with clear features, and had perhaps been pretty in her youth.Her appearance was not very polite, and her manner of receiving guests could not make them forget their humble status.It was not her silence that was so frightening, but her voice always so high and pretentious that Elizabeth immediately thought of Mr. Wickham's words.After a whole day of observation, she felt that Mrs. Caitlin's personality was exactly as described by Wickham.

She looked at her carefully, and saw at once that there was something like Mr. Darcy in her features, and then she turned her eyes to her daughter, who was so thin and small that she felt almost as much as Maria. surprise.There was no similarity between the mother and daughter, regardless of their physical appearance.De.Miss Power was pale and sickly, and her features, though not ugly, were inconspicuous; she didn't speak much, except to whisper something to Mrs. Gingerson.Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's appearance was not at all outstanding, she just listened attentively to what the young lady had to say, and stood in front of her to prevent others from seeing her too clearly.

After sitting for a few minutes, the guests were all sent to the windows to enjoy the view outside.Mr. Collins accompanied them, showing them places, and Lady Catelyn kindly told them that it would be even more beautiful in summer.The banquet was indeed very decent, and the servants and the utensils for serving the banquet were exactly as described by Mr. Collins, and just as he expected in advance, the lady ordered him to sit at the bottom table, and he looked as if There is nothing more satisfying in life than this.He cut and ate, and raved with gusto; each dish was first praised by him, and then boasted by Sir William, who was now quite free from fear, and could be his son-in-law's answer.Seeing that, Elizabeth could not help wondering how Lady Catelyn could bear it.But Mrs. Caitlin seemed to be very satisfied with these excessive praises, and she always showed a kind smile, especially when she brought a dish that the guests had never seen before to the table, she was very proud.The hosts and guests had nothing to talk about, but Elizabeth always had something to say if someone else started, but she was sitting in the wrong place, with Charlotte on one side, listening attentively to Lady Catelyn, and Desmond on the other. ．Miss Power, don't speak a word to her the whole meal.Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng mainly pays attention to De.Miss Bauer, when she saw that the young lady ate too little, she forced her to eat this and then that, fearing that she would not be useful.Maria didn't want to talk at all, and the gentlemen just ate and praised.

When the ladies returned to the drawing room, they only listened to Mrs. Caitlin's conversation.Madame went on and on about everything until the coffee was served, and she was always so determined that no one could object to it.She inquired carefully about Charlotte's household, and gave her a great deal of advice on housekeeping.She told Charlotte that everything should be carefully arranged in a small family like hers, and taught her how to take care of the cows and fowls.Elizabeth found that this lady would not let the little things go lightly, so long as she had the opportunity to dominate others.When the lady was talking to Mrs. Collins, she also asked Maria and Elizabeth a few words now and then, especially Elizabeth.She did not quite know what Elizabeth was to them, but she told Mrs. Collins that she was a very gentle and pretty girl.She asked Elizabeth several times how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger, whether any of them were married, whether they were good-looking, where they were educated, what kind of carriages their father had, and what kind of carriages her mother had. What is your maiden name?Elizabeth thought her question was abrupt, but she answered her calmly.Then Lady Catelyn said:

Your father's estate must go to Mr Collins, I suppose?At this point, she turned to Charlotte again and said: I'm glad to think of you; otherwise I can't see any reason why my daughters should not inherit the property, but give it to others.Lewis.De.The Baoer family felt that there was no need to do so.Can you play and sing, Miss Bennet? Know a thing or two. Oh, when will we want to hear it.Our violin is very good, maybe you can try it someday.Can your sisters play and sing? There is a meeting. Why not everyone learn it?You should learn all of them.All the young ladies of the Webb family are talented, and their father's income is not as good as your father's.Can you draw?

No, not at all. How do you say, not even one? None will. This is very strange.I guess you have no chance to learn it.Your mother should take you to the city to vote for famous teachers every spring. My mother wouldn't object, but my father hated London. Is your governess gone? We never had governesses. No governesses!How about that?Five girls being educated at home, and no governess!I've never heard of such a thing!Your mother is educating you like a slave. Elizabeth could not help laughing, and told her that it was not so. So who taught you?Who will serve you?Without a governess, you are left alone, aren't you?

Compared with some other families, our family treats us rather laxly; but among the sisters, those who are eager to learn will never be helpless.Our family often encourages us to study hard, and we have all the necessary teachers.Anyone who wants to be lazy, of course, can do it. That is beyond doubt; but it is the governess's business to prevent such things; and if I knew your mother, I should do my best to persuade her to have one.I have always thought that education would be fruitless without the step-by-step instruction which only governesses can give.It's funny to say that I have introduced governesses to so many families.I always like to have a young man well placed.Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's four nieces have been introduced to them by me. Just a few days ago, I recommended another girl. She was just mentioned in front of me by chance, and the family was very satisfied with her. .Mrs. Collins, did I tell you that Mrs. Metcal came to thank me yesterday?She thought Miss Pope was a real treasure.She said to me: Lady Caitlin, you have given me a treasure.Have any of your sisters been out in society, Miss Bennet? Yes, madam, all out and about. All out to socialize!What, five sisters came out to socialize at the same time?really weird!You are just the second!My sister is out to socialize before my sister is married!Your sisters must be very young, right? Yes; the youngest was only sixteen.Maybe she was too young to make many friends.But, ma'am, it would be too hard on them if the younger sisters could not have social and entertainment because the older sisters couldn't marry early, or didn't want to marry early.The youngest has as much a right to youth as the oldest.How could they be told to stay at home for such a reason!I thought that it would be impossible to promote the affection between sisters, or to develop a gentle character. Unexpectedly, Madam said, such a young person like you can be so assertive.May I ask how old are you? I already have three adult sisters, Elizabeth said with a smile.You old man will never ask me to recruit my age again. Lady Catelyn looked surprised that no straightforward answer was received; and Elizabeth felt that she dared to joke with such an impolite rich lady, and feared to put herself first. You won't be over twenty, so you don't have to hide your age. I'm under twenty-one. After tea, all the gentlemen came to their side, and the card table was set up.Lady Caitlin, Sir William, and the Collinses sat down to chat;Miss Power was going to play casino, so the two girls had the honor of helping Mrs. Gingerson round up the number for her.Their table is really boring, except for Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng asking De.Apart from whether Miss Bauer felt too cold or too hot, or whether the light was too strong or too dim, there was not a word that was not about the game of cards.The other table was much more impressive.Lady Catelyn was talking almost all the time, either pointing out the faults of the other three or telling anecdotes of herself.Mr. Collins echoed what she said, thanking her every time he won, and apologizing to her if he won too much.Sir William said little, but filled his mind with anecdotes and noble names. When Mrs. Caitlin's mother and daughter were too tired to play any more, the two tables of cards were over, and the carriage was sent to take Mrs. Collins back. Mrs. Collins accepted it gratefully, and immediately sent someone to harness the carriage.They gathered around the fire again, listening to Mrs. Catelyn's judgment on how the weather would be tomorrow.They didn't stop training until the carriage came and asked them to get on the carriage.There were so many words of gratitude from Mr. Collins, and so many bows from Sir William, before they all took their leave.As soon as the carriage was out of the door, Collins asked Elizabeth to express her feelings about Rosings, and she reluctantly evaded him for Charlotte's sake.Although she reluctantly uttered a lot of good things, Mr. Collins was not at all satisfied. Collins had no choice but to speak immediately himself, and praised the old lady again.