“My Dear Lizzy,
Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. But at length,by Elizabeth's persuasion,he was prevailed on to overlook the offence,and seek a reconciliation;and,after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave way,either to her affection for him,or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself; and she condescended to wait on them at Pemberley,in spite of that pollution which its woods had received,not merely from the presence of such a mistress,but the visits of her uncle and aunt from the city.
As it happened that Elizabeth had much rather not, she endeavoured in her answer to put an end to every entreaty and expectation of the kind.Such relief,however,as it was in her power to afford,by the practice of what might be called economy in her own private expences,she frequently sent them.It had always been evident to her that such an income as theirs,under the direction of two persons so extravagant in their wants,and heedless of the future,must be very insufficient to their support;and whenever they changed their quarters, either Jane or herself were sure of being applied to for some little assistance towards discharging their bills.Their manner of living,even when the restoration of peace dismissed them to a home,was unsettled in the extreme.They were always moving from place to place in quest of a cheap situation,and always spending more than they ought.His affection for her soon sunk into indifference;hers lasted a little longer;and in spite of her youth and her manners,she retained all the claims to reputation which her marriage had given her.