She followed her father to the fire place, and they both sat down.He then said,
“I have received a letter this morning that has astonished me exceedingly.As it principally concerns yourself,you ought to know its contents. I did not know before, that I had two daughters on the brink of matrimony. Let me congratulate you on a very important conquest.”
“If, therefore, an excuse for not keeping his promise should come to his friend within a few days,”she added,“I shall know how to understand it. I shall then give over every expectation, every wish of his constancy.If he is satisfied with only regretting me,when he might have obtained my affections and hand,I shall soon cease to regret him at all.”
The discomposure of spirits which this extraordinary visit threw Elizabeth into, could not be easily overcome; nor could she,for many hours,learn to think of it less than incessantly.Lady Catherine, it appeared, had actually taken the trouble of this journey from Rosings, for the sole purpose of breaking off her supposed engagement with Mr.Darcy.It was a rational scheme, to be sure!but from what the report of their engagement could originate,Elizabeth was at a loss to imagine;till she recollected that his being the intimate friend of Bingley, and her being the sister of Jane,