Pride and Prejudice - Chapter 13
Pride and Prejudice - Bab 13
In the spring, an invitation came from Mr. Collins and Charlotte. They invited Elizabeth to visit them at their new home, the parsonage at Hunsford, which was near Rosings Park, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth mengunjungi Charlotte dan Tuan Collins di rumah mereka di Hunsford. Mereka tinggal di dekat Rosings Park, kediaman Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth accepted the invitation, and in March she set out for Hunsford. She was accompanied by Sir William Lucas and Maria, Charlotte's younger sister.
Lady Catherine adalah wanita yang mendominasi dan sombong yang suka mencampuri kehidupan orang lain. Elizabeth tidak terintimidasi olehnya, yang mengejutkan Lady Catherine.
When they arrived, they were greeted warmly by Charlotte, who looked happy in her new home. The parsonage was small but comfortable, and Charlotte seemed content with her life.
"I am very fortunate," she told Elizabeth. "Mr. Collins is a good man, and I am well provided for."
Elizabeth was pleased to see her friend happy, though she still could not understand how Charlotte could marry without love.
The next day, they were invited to dine at Rosings Park. Lady Catherine was a tall, imposing woman with a commanding presence. She asked them questions about their family and their lives, and she commented freely on everything.
"You have a very small park, Sir William," she said. "It is nothing compared to Rosings."
Sir William agreed politely, though Elizabeth found her tone insulting.
Lady Catherine then turned her attention to Elizabeth. "And how many sisters do you have, Miss Bennet?"
"Five, ma'am," Elizabeth replied.
"Five! All unmarried! Your mother must be very busy."
Elizabeth found Lady Catherine's questions intrusive, but she answered them calmly. She would not let this woman intimidate her.
Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth and the Lucases visited Rosings several times. They also met Lady Catherine's daughter, Miss de Bourgh, who was pale and sickly and seemed to have little personality.
"Miss de Bourgh will make a fine wife for Mr. Darcy," Charlotte whispered to Elizabeth. "They have been engaged since they were children."
Elizabeth was surprised by this news. Darcy engaged to Miss de Bourgh? She could not imagine it. But then, she could not imagine why any woman would want to marry Darcy, with his pride and his arrogance.